Extend maternity leave to six months

Wa (U/W), Aug 15, GNA- Madam Helena Awurusa, National Co-ordinator for Gender Programmes at the Ghana Education Service (GES) at the weekend appealed to the government to consider extending the maternity leave of career women from three months to six months.

This, she explained, would give them ample and adequate time to exclusively breastfeed their babies.

"The three months maternity leave is woefully inadequate coupled with the fact that some establishments do not even allow babies into offices."

Madam Awurusa made this appeal at Wa on Saturday at the closing session of a two-day Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) leadership-training workshop for 11 selected women organisers in the Upper West Region.

She said exclusive breastfeeding was so essential to every mother and any attempt to reduce the period for it would affect the lives of babies.

The National Co-ordinator called on women to take up responsible positions with GNAT and stop relegating themselves to positions like treasurers and women organisers.

"Some of you are very hardworking and can handle high ranking positions, yet you refuse to avail yourselves for nomination and election which is unfortunate", she stressed.

Mr Martin Asamanaba, Upper West Regional Secretary of GNAT urged all Zonal, District and Regional executives of GNAT Ladies to revamp the organisation.

He said GNAT would continue to organise refresher courses for teachers to upgrade their skills but urged them to go for further studies to improve their status.

Mrs Scholastica Gyiele, Wa Municipal Director of Education who chaired the function urged lady teachers to live above reproach and organise their time well for future prospects. 15 Aug 04