The Volta Regional Branch of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) last week staged a one-hour demonstration through some principal streets of Ho, against alleged anomalies in their salaries and service conditions. They called on the government and the Ministry of Education to expedite action on their grievances before Thursday, October 19, adding that they would embark on an industrial action as from that date.
They carried placards some of which read, "Director-General, there is nothing called SSS graduate," "Excellent work deserve excellent pay," "Give graduate teachers the right pay," "Wake up from your slumber" and "Ghana Education Service (GES), some teachers are more equal than others".
A petition, signed by Mr Samuel Andzi-Quainoo, Chairman and Mr Dan Yorgbe, Secretary, to the Minister of Education through the Volta Regional Co-Ordinating Council (VRCC) and the GES, called for redress of their grievances on salaries and conditions of service following the failure of negotiations.
They demanded a separate salary scale and representation of NAGRAT on all educational committees such as the Salaries and Conditions of Service, Textbook Development, Best Teacher Award and bodies like GES Council, West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the board of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
"We sincerely believe that you will address these grievances for us in the interest of industrial harmony in the GES", the petition stated. Mr Steve Selormey, Deputy Director VRCC and Mr Otuo Kofi Yempew, Regional Director of the GES, asked them to exercise restraint and promised to channel the petition to the appropriate quarters.
Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Director General of the GES, announced last Saturday that a new salary structure had been approved for graduate teachers and urged them to rescind their decision to go on strike.
