Minister appeals to NAGRAT to suspend strike.

Axim, Sept. 17-GNA- Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Environment and Rural Development has appealed to striking members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to suspend their action.

He said grievances of the NAGRAT must not be given a piece-meal approach but must be tackled properly with the view to finding lasting solutions to all issues raised.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said these when he addressed the chiefs and people of Axim during the celebration of this year's Kundum festival at Axim on Saturday, which was on the theme, "Peace and Development". The festival was the first to be organised jointly by Awulae Attiburukusu III and Awulae Neba Kwaw III, Paramount Chiefs of Lower and Upper Axim.

A long-standing chieftaincy dispute had divided the town into two, with each chief holding on to a section of the predominantly fishing community.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said to ease the plight and burden of teachers, government had introduced Mortgage houses for teachers while agreements had been signed with some companies for the supply of electrical gadgets, building materials and home appliances on hire purchase for them.

The Minister therefore appealed to the striking teachers to exercise restraint in their demands, suspend their action and resume work. On September 12 this year, the Western Regional Branch of NAGRAT joined the nationwide indefinite strike.

NAGRAT is demanding the implementation of a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed between the association and Government in 2005.

Mr. John Faidoo, Western Regional Chairman of NAGRAT said at a press conference on September 12 that the MOU was suspended as a result of the intervention by a Parliamentary select committee and other stakeholders but since then, no action had been taken on it.