NAGRAT, CCT Stage Joint Demonstration in Kumasi over Poor Conditions of Service

Thousands of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT) members have staged a joint demonstration in the Ashanti Region. The demonstration took place amidst heavy police presence.

The two teachers unions are protesting poor conditions of service especially non-payment of the incremental allowance under the Single Spine Pay Policy and payment of their 3 months salary arrears. Leadership of both NAGRAT and CCT led Tuesday’s demonstration, which began at the Kumasi Children’s Park.
The demonstrators brandished placards including: “Remit our pension contributions to GES trustees,” “Pay Teachers, Salary Arrears,” “Teachers Abrɛ”,Yentie Obiara”, “Pay teachers’ car maintenance arrears”, “Our pension, our future” and “Pay Promotion Arrears”.

The two bodies are expected to present a joint petition to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, at the Regional Coordinating Council. Mr. Kofi Jumah Asuboteng received the petition in the absence of the Regional Minister. Already NAGRAT members in the Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo regions have laid down their tools.
Meanwhile, the National President of NAGRAT, Christian Addai-Poku, has lashed out at leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), saying GNAT’s posture suggests teachers in the country have no grievances. Mr. Addai-Poku said insofar as teachers have challenges in the discharge of their duties, NAGRAT will continue to fight for their cause.
 

In an interview with Kessben Television, Mr. Addai-Poku said the union will use both a physical approach and a tactical employee approach to battle out their grievances until a consensus is reached. He added that serious demonstrations will continue if government refuses to heed their plea.
He later appealed to their members to remain calm and resolute and expect a positive outcome from the government and their employers.