The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Maurice Korah, has expressed concern over what he describes as the lack of priority given to the welfare of teachers in Ghana.
He has called for urgent measures to address challenges affecting teachers’ working conditions and general welfare.
His comments follow a nationwide strike by three teacher unions over concerns about their conditions of service.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday, September 28, Korah said teachers continue to make sacrifices beyond their mandated responsibilities without receiving commensurate motivation and support.
He cited challenges including conditions attached to teacher transfers, the lack of accommodation allowances and deplorable working conditions in some schools as evidence of inadequate attention to teachers’ welfare.
“The deplorable conditions that teachers suffer and the inhumane treatment we get for opting to become professionals who impact knowledge is too much,” he said.
Korah said despite the challenges, some teachers particularly those working in deprived communities, continue to use portions of their meagre salaries to provide for the basic needs of pupils.
He said addressing the welfare concerns of teachers would require proactive leadership and collaboration among political leaders, education-sector stakeholders and teacher unions.
“Proactiveness in leadership across board, on the part of the political leaders, educational sector players and teacher unions,” he stressed.
Korah further said the teacher unions remained united in pursuing redress for their concerns and would not allow the issue to be politicised.
According to him, the concerns raised by teachers have persisted for years and should be addressed on their merits, irrespective of political affiliations.
He said the unions remained resolute in their demands and would continue with the strike until their major concerns were addressed by the government and other relevant stakeholders.
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