Upper East Teachers Embark On Demonstration

Bolgatanga, Sept 30, GNA - More than 100 teachers in Bolgatanga on Thursday embarked on a four-hour peaceful demonstration to register their displeasure over the undue delay of their 2005 salary negotiations between the Central Management Board (CMB) and the Consultative Forum. The teachers ended their protest march at the Regional Co-ordinating Council and presented a petition to the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Awudu Yiremeah.

The petition was signed by the Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Paul Apanga, and the Regional general are disappointed by the sudden shift from the agreed offer," the petition said, adding that the offer of 10 percent salary increase across board for workers on level three to 22 with effect from March, 2005, was accepted with the understanding that special allowances were to be paid to public servants under the Forum for four months (September to December 2005).

It said the unexpected change from March to June, September to November and the total withdrawal of the reimbursable allowances was "a real stab in the back of the Forum."

Receiving the petition, the Deputy Regional Minister assured the teachers that their concerns would be channelled to "the appropriate quarters" for redress.

He, however, appealed to them to get back to the classroom while their grievances were being addressed.