Agboni leads resounding opposition to GNAT cancer fund percentage deduction

GNAT Cancer Fund Percentage Deduction

A decisive moment unfolded at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Central Region 7th Quadrennial & 54th Regional Delegates Conference, when Agboni Nicholas Kelvin, a teacher on study leave at the University of Cape Coast and current Secretary of GNATOC-UCC, led a powerful opposition that resulted in the unanimous rejection of a proposed salary percentage-based deduction for the GNAT Cancer Fund.

The high-level regional conference, held from 23rd July to 26th July 2025, brought together hundreds of teacher delegates and union leaders at the Nduom School of Business and Technology in Ayensudo, in the Central Region.

The conference was held under the theme: “Educating an African Fit for the 21st Century; The Role of Policy Makers and the Unions in Ghana.”

As part of GNAT’s constitutional framework, regional conferences are organized every four years to review, deliberate, and adopt resolutions from various locals and districts within the region. These adopted resolutions are then escalated to the national conference for final consideration.

One of the most contentious proposals at this year’s conference was GNAT’s suggestion to amend the current method of contribution to the GNAT Cancer Fund—a fund set up to support members diagnosed with cancer. The association proposed a shift from the existing fixed monthly deduction of GHS5.00 per teacher to a 0.5% deduction on teachers’ monthly salaries at source, starting at salary level 14.1.

GNAT explained that the new model was intended to raise more funds in response to the increasing number of cancer-related cases among members and to avoid delays in accessing treatment support.

Agboni Nicholas Kelvin Sparks the Debate

During the resolution sessions, Agboni Nicholas Kelvin became the first delegate to raise a strong objection to the proposed change. In a well-articulated and data-driven submission, he argued that moving from a fixed amount to a percentage-based deduction was not only excessive but would also disproportionately affect the financial well-being of teachers.

Practical calculations from Agboni Nicholas Kelvin

Using practical calculations, Agboni explained that:

A teacher on salary level 14.1 with a gross salary of about GHS2,700 would have GHS13.50 deducted monthly under the new proposal.

For a net salary of approximately GHS2,300, the deduction would still amount to GHS11.50 per month.

“This represents a more than 100% increase on the current GHS5.00 deduction. While we all acknowledge the importance of strengthening the Cancer Fund, such an increase must be measured, fair, and affordable for the average teacher,” Agboni emphasized.

He went on to explain that a percentage-based model creates inequity, as contributions would differ based on income levels, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and lack of transparency. He therefore appealed for the maintenance of the current fixed deduction and recommended that any future increment be discussed extensively and, if necessary, be adjusted in fixed monetary terms — not as a percentage of salaries.

Delegates Rally Behind Agboni’s Position

Agboni’s submission immediately gained traction among the delegates, sparking constructive debate on the floor. Many teachers shared his concerns and commended the clarity and fairness of his analysis. His position quickly became the dominant view of the house.

When the proposal reached the decision stage, the delegates unanimously rejected the percentage-based deduction model. They also resolved that no increment should be made to the current GHS5.00 monthly deduction at this time. The resolution reflects a shared belief among the teaching fraternity that teacher welfare policies must be equitable, predictable, and developed through broader consultation.

A Defining Moment in Leadership

The intervention by Agboni Nicholas Kelvin was hailed by delegates and observers as a defining moment of leadership and courage. Despite being a young leader still on study leave, his well-reasoned argument and advocacy for teachers’ financial interests won him admiration from across the conference floor.

His leadership during the proceedings has been described as bold, informed, and visionary — demonstrating that emerging voices in GNAT’s leadership structure are capable of shaping national-level policy direction with clarity and responsibility.

“This is what true representation looks like,” one delegate remarked. “Agboni spoke with facts, with fairness, and with the heart of a teacher. He spoke for us all.”

Next Steps: Resolution Heads to National Conference

With the decision made, the Central Region will now forward this resolution — to retain the GHS5.00 fixed deduction and reject the percentage-based model — to the GNAT National Conference, where it will be considered among other regional resolutions for possible national adoption.

The GNAT Central Region 7th Quadrennial & 54th Regional Delegates Conference, hosted at the Nduom School of Business and Technology, once again proved to be a vital platform for engaging, refining, and voicing the collective concerns of educators. Under the guiding theme, “Educating an African Fit for the 21st Century; The Role of Policy Makers and the Unions in Ghana,” the conference underscored the need for policy and union decisions to be grounded in fairness, inclusivity, and practical realities.

With leaders like Agboni Nicholas Kelvin rising to the occasion, the future of teacher advocacy within GNAT appears to be in capable and courageous hands.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh