Teacher unions in Koforidua took to the streets on Monday, May 15, to demand the payment of four outstanding allowances. These allowances include the deprived area allowance, extra assessment, book/data/online, and teaching support, as well as an upward adjustment on CPD allowances.
Members of teacher unions such as the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) donned red and black attire as they demonstrated with fervor. They expressed their grievances through chants and placards, with messages such as “Treat teachers with dignity”, “Teachers are losing trust in government”, and “Cost of electricity is killing us”, among others.
This demonstration followed a press conference where the unions called out the government for its failure to honor allowances agreed upon in collective agreements dating back to 2009 and 2020.
Patrick Boison, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, emphasized the commitment of teacher unions nationwide to advocate for the prioritization of teachers’ welfare. He stated that they will not relent until the government addresses their concerns and fulfills its obligations to teachers as stipulated in the collective agreements.
Boison mentioned, “Teachers are only asking for four allowances out of the seventeen allowances because we understand the situation that the government is in but it cannot also go without the government doing anything about our demands. Teachers are the most employable people on government payroll, and we are found in every nook and cranny of this country. Our members must be compensated for their dedication.”
The teacher unions are also asking for assessment allowance, book/data/online allowances, and an increase in CPD allowances. They are determined to continue their advocacy until the government takes action on their demands and ensures that teachers are treated with decency and respect.
