NAGRAT declares 7-day strike after clash with police over permit

The police have rejected a request by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to embark on a demonstration in Accra.

Though the police administration initially gave NAGRAT a go-ahead, it informed its leadership later at a separate meeting that permission will not be granted.

These were made known to journalists on Wednesday, May 14 by NAGRAT’s Greater Accra Region Chairman, Rene Senyo Kwamikorkor, in Accra.

“We had a very useful discussion with [the police administration],” Mr Kwamikorkor said about the first meeting with the police.

He pointed out that leadership was on Tuesday summoned for an emergency meeting, where it was told that “due to some security challenges they cannot allow demo in the Accra metropolis this very week”.

“Although as a union we have reservation about their excuses, we are law-abiding citizens and we are willing to cooperate with them to postpone our demonstration until further notice.”

He stated, however, that their grievances over the incremental allowance are still pending, forcing them to declare a seven-day strike starting Thursday, May 15.

“On 15th May, all teachers for that matter are laying down their tools. We are going on seven-working-day strike. By the end of Friday, May 23, we will call off the strike,” Mr Kwamikorkor announced.

He said if by the calling-off date government has not done anything about their concerns, they will meet and decide on the next action to take.