POTAG calls for holistic approach to UTAG demands

Ho, May 20, GNA - The Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) on Friday called for a holistic approach to resolving the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) demands for enhanced salaries to forestall a similar action in other tertiary institutions.

A release issued at Ho said the demand by UTAG for improved service conditions was timely because, as fellow teachers in tertiary institutions in Ghana, "we are aware of lecturers leaving to other places due to poor service conditions".

It said young intellectuals are not accepting appointments as lecturers due to the unattractive service conditions. "In contrast, beneficiaries of tertiary education who get employment outside the tertiary education system enjoy better conditions of service and salaries.

"At the same time, we notice with deepest concern, the gross disparity in remuneration between private tertiary institutions and the public ones." It said lecturers in private institutions are paid more than twice the salaries paid to lecturers in public institutions.

"It is, therefore, our view that improved service conditions for UTAG will help ameliorate the unfortunate situation in public tertiary institutions to attract and retain the needed manpower resources."

Mr Joseph Kofi Boakye, President, and Mr Kwaku Owusu-Banahene, General Secretary of the association, signed the release.