GNAT Gives Government 14-Day Ultimatum

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has given the government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve all their grievances, or they will hit the streets with a massive demonstration. Mr Johnny Akpakli, Greater-Accra Regional Chairman of GNAT said the grievances include, the unilateral freeze on the annual salary increment of teachers in the service, and the withdrawal of waiver on vehicle for teachers. Others are withdrawal of allowances for the teacher-trainees in the various Colleges of Education, and the delay in the implementation of the Second Tier Pension Scheme under the new pension reform. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr Akpakli said the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the Government have all failed to address concerns of teachers. He said, the only response they had from government was a dialogue with the union leaders, on June 30, at the end of which GNAT heeded to government�s appeal to be given additional 14 days to work on the issues. �We have decided on going on a massive demonstration all over the country if government does not address our grievances, within the 14 days, there is no turning back. �After the 14 days, if our grievances have not been addressed, then GNAT and all allied unions under its umbrella will hit the streets,� he said. On the issues of the Second Tier Pension Scheme, Mr Akpakli explained that the pension contribution which has also not been addressed, is money from their own contribution and government should have no interference by trying to impose a scheme that is not registered, and has no certificate on the union. He explained that, the issue concerning the certificate about the pension is that, government is forcing a group on the unions. He said, �Even those who have gone through the procedure and have received their certificates have not been given their pension fees.� He said they have all agreed not to go back to the former Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), because of mismanagement of the funds, saying, �That is the reason why we fought for a new pension scheme during the Kufuor administration, which set up a committee and brought in Dr. Tonny Bediako to design a new pension scheme for the association�. Mrs Gifty Apanbil, Greater-Accra Regional Secretary said, the issues at stake, the Second Tier Pension Scheme affects all government workers that is why organized labour has decided to extend the date to July 14.