Research, book allowance paid, return to the classrooms – GTEC to CETAG

The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Jinapor, has disclosed that the government, through the finance ministry, has paid all research and book allowances owed to members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

According to him, the CETAG strike embarked on some weeks ago, is affecting educational activities in the institutions, hence the payment to enhance teaching and learning.

It could be recalled that the CETAG embarked on a sit-down strike some weeks ago, leaving students in various training colleges without tutors.

Speaking at the investiture of Professor Prince Boateng, who has been elevated from Acting Principal to substantive Principal of Ada College of Education, Professor Jinapor noted that staff from all forty-six (46) Colleges of Education are being placed on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to ensure they are financially fit to contribute to the teaching and learning in the schools.

“GTEC is currently working with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to ensure that all staff is placed on the scheme,” Professor Ahmed Jinapor said. “CETAG is on strike on the grounds that they want a top-up of their book and research allowance paid, and I am glad that the monies have finally been paid,” he added, emphasizing that they can start sourcing it from Monday, July 15, 2024, through GIFMIS. “A total of one hundred and ninety-nine million Ghana cedis plus have been paid,” he added.

The investiture of Professor Prince Boateng, who is now the 11th Principal of Ada College of Education, marked his elevation from Acting Principal to substantive Principal. Professor Prince Boateng assured his unwavering commitment to bringing a facelift to the school, as he had already started. He mentioned that the college requires its fence wall to be constructed to provide enough security for the students.

He further added that he will make judicious use of the resources of the college, as he is already constructing and furnishing some of the structures. “I am developing a program called Students ADACOE to connect where students can access their results, library, and other related facilities through the net,” he said. He also mentioned that he will introduce entrepreneurial seminars at the college to position it as a twenty-first-century institution.

Speaking further, Professor Prince Boateng added that he will initiate productive activities in the college to increase its internally generated funds. “As a technical person, I will introduce a water packaging plant to enhance the internally generated funds of the college,” he said.

The investiture of Professor Prince Boateng as the 11th Principal of Ada College of Education coincided with the 15th congregation of the institution, where over two hundred and forty-eight students graduated. The Member of Parliament for Ada East Constituency, Honourable Comfort Doyoe Kudzo, applauded Professor Boateng as the substantive Principal of ADACOE and donated twenty thousand Ghana cedis and other logistics to support the college as it prepares to celebrate 60 years of existence in 2025.