There will be industrial disturbances if government touches teachers money – GNAT

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has cautioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government from touching teachers money under government’s debt restructuring programme.

According to the Association, Ghana will face endless industrial disturbances if government ignores their directive and touches teachers money.

In a statement issued by the General Secretary of GNAT Mr. Thomas Tanko Musah, the Association sounds this note of caution, that the contributions and savings of teachers, should not be touched, that failure to heed this caution would throw the country into industrial disturbances.

GNAT said, their attention has been drawn to a document where the Republic of Ghana, per it’s announcement on Monday, 5th December, 2022 inviting Eligible Holders to exchange approximately GH¢137.3 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, ESLA PLC and Daakye Trust Plc, for a package of New Bonds to be issued by the Republic, (with) the terms and conditions of the invitation (as) described in the memorandum dated Monday, 5th December, 2022, and hereby reacts to the Press Release as follows:

“The Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, is an interested stakeholder on the Domestic Bond Market, running the Teachers Fund with its subsidiaries, the Tier-3 Pension Scheme and the Ghana Education Service Occupational Pension Scheme (GESOPS) for its members.”

GNAT states categorically that these are bold steps and initiatives taken by the Association to better the lives of its members (teachers) in active service, and retirement, taking cognisance of their salaries which are nothing but pittances and crumbs from the master’s table, and do not take them home, and the state of melancholy and abject poverty in which they live, given the sorry pension paid them by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

They have initiated the aforementioned financial schemes to make their members live meaningful lives. It would therefore be suicidal for any government to touch our funds and unruffle teachers financially, both in active service and retirement.

Pursuant to to the above, the Association wishes to state unequivocally that they are not interested in any exchange of domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, be it ESLA Plc, Daakye Trust Plc, and their stance is non-negotiable.

They wish to make it clear to the Government of Ghana that, they should address the economic challenges facing the country not at the expense of the Ghanaian workers and the general population.

Prudence in government expenditure, thrift, reduction in size of government, among others could all go to address Ghana’s economic woes.

Leadership of GNAT hereby inform their members (teachers) that they have not been invited to any discussion on Domestic Debt Exchange, and their stance remains unwavered.

According to GNAT contributions and savings of teachers remain intact, and that they shall fiercely and vigorously resist any attempt to touch the said contributions and savings by Government under any Debt Exchange, Debt Structural Adjustment or whatever measure which would short-change their members, both in active service and retirement.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh