GNAT members demand accountability for membership dues

The young teachers and members of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) are appealing to the leadership of the mother association, GNAT, and other teacher Unions to address the pressing concern, membership dues payment and its use for teacher-assisting projects judiciously.

The members of GNAT are querying their leaders on what their dues and funds are used for.

Below is the full submission of a member of GNAT on the topic

GNAT Membership Dues: A Call for Accountability

As young teachers and members of GNAT, we need to address a pressing concern. Our union leaders collect our dues diligently, but what happens to the funds? Let’s do the math:

– GNAT Dues: GHS 58.44 (approximately USD 9.70) per member per month
– GNAT Cancer Fund: GHS 5.00 (approximately USD 0.83) per member per month
– Teachers Mutual Fund Dues: GHS 130.00 (approximately USD 21.67) per member per month

READ ALSO: GNAT launches Cancer Foundation to support teachers

With over 240,000 members, the total monthly collections are:

– Total GNAT Dues: GHS 14,041,600 (approximately $2,333,333 USD) per month
– GNAT Cancer Fund: GHS 1,200,000 (approximately USD 200,000) per month
– Teachers Mutual Fund Dues: GHS 31,200,000 (approximately $5,200,000 USD) per month

That’s a staggering GHS 46,441,600 (approximately USD 7,733,333) every month! Yet, we see little impact on our welfare, healthcare, and working conditions. Where are our dues going? Why aren’t they being used to improve our lives and the education sector?

Consider this: with the total monthly collections, GNAT could build:

– 275 clinics (one in each constituency) at a cost of GHS 168,000 (approximately USD 28,000) each
– 550 schools at a cost of GHS 84,000 (approximately USD 14,000) each
– Provide scholarships for 4,000 students at a cost of GHS 11,610 (approximately USD 1,933) each

Let’s come together to demand answers and ensure our union works for us, not just a select few.

By Clemento ASINA

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh