The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr David Ofori Acheampong, has condemned recent attacks on teachers in certain parts of the country, stressing that the security and safety of teachers are key to national development.
GNAT, he added, would do all it could to ensure that teachers in various communities were safe and work in peace.
Mr Acheampong made this statement at a leadership training workshop organised by the Ahanta West District GNAT office in the Western Region, for school representative, local and district executives, on Thursday, on the nationwide medical education, the role of elected officers, membership education techniques and ‘GNAT, a union of choice.’
He said, many communities in the past, protected and secured the welfare of teachers, noting that “there was nothing like teachers being attacked.”
“What has changed? Children were thought to belong to the community and so they were disciplined when they go wrong. Today, no, because of child rights, and morale. If a teacher beats a child, the parents also have the rights to beat the teacher. If we have people who encourage such things in the community, people will attack you. Where are we going? Mr Acheampong quizzed.
He continued “We are going to talk about teacher security and what is happening in Asiakwa, Ashanti and Volta regions. Indeed, the time has come for us to make statements on our security.”
The GNAT General Secretary pointed out that if communities failed to protect teachers, they would refuse postings to areas with security threats.
On teachers licensure, Mr Acheampong told the members that the government had agreed to begin with newly trained teachers, but, explained that those in present appointments could download the forms on line and apply and not wait till the May 31 deadline elapsed.
He also encouraged the elected officers to campaign for members to roll onto the Nationwide Medical scheme and pay GH¢1.00 monthly for 365 days to enable them enjoy the benefits of a good and prompt health care in future.
The Head of Education and Professional Development at the GNAT Headquarters, Mr Matthew Adjadjah, told the participants to uphold good professional and ethical standards, good governance and avoid conflict of interest and corruption, while they provided good leadership.
The District GNAT Chairman for Ahanta West, Richard Hoenyefia Boni, spoke about professional development and promised to liaise with the national headquarters to improve standards of leadership among officers.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, AGONA NKWANTA
