Teachers demand payment of Tier-2 pensions by end of November

Ray Charles Marfo October 31, 2022

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The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is worried about some developments regarding the pensions of its membership.

The Association says the Ghana Education Service Occupational Pension Scheme (GSOPS) run by the Controller and Accountant’s General is in 6 months’ arrears.

As a result of this, “GNAT wants members to be reimbursed” with immediate effect.

The GNAT council has therefore called on the Finance Ministry to pay all Tier 2 funds by the end of November 2022.

GNAT is also concerned that, the GES’ reluctance to promote teachers and members of the association to their designated ranks is causing increased agitation among its rank and file.

At its 2022 National Council meeting, the association indicated that the myriad of challenges include “delays in supplying laptops, allowances payment and opening of base pay negotiations.”

In a communique, the association believed the development could trigger labour unrest among teachers if left unattended.

New GES Director General appointment brouhaha

GNAT says the decision by the Education Ministry to appoint a director General of the GES “who is not a thoroughbred educationist not only sets a bad precedent but also sends a negative signal to hardworking teachers and educationists that they have no opportunity of occupying that space.”

It would be recalled, the recent appointment of a new Director General of the GES, Dr Eric Nkansah, caused an uproar among teacher unions.

According to the national council of GNAT, “the response of the Ministry on the matter on concerns raised, further goes to create disharmony” in the education labour front.

Promotions

The 11-point communique also reiterated the “need for staff who were promoted and upgraded since 2015 to be placed on the right scale”.

“The council finds this irritating and provocative; with the potential of disturbing the peace on the education front. GNAT, therefore, calls on the Ministry of education and GES to resolve this issue” and all other matters relating to this and lower rank promotions by the end of December this year.

GNAT again asked government to ensure that the “2022 collective agreement is reviewed” after having ran for 3 years.

Already, GNAT also asked the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to open the window for base pay negotiations by November 2022.