Teachers cry foul over salary deductions

Teachers of the Methodist Educational Unit in Ashanti have called for government's intervention to stop the Regional Manager of the unit, the Very Reverend Isaac Kofi Twum, from making wrongful and illegal deductions from their salaries.

They claimed that the regional manager has caused to be deducted from their salaries, 1,000 cedis every month for the past 14 months towards the purchase of a vehicle for his official use. These deductions, which were originally supposed to have lasted for six months, now appear to have become permanent. Miss Elizabeth Nkromah, who acted as spokesperson for the aggrieved teachers, said they find it both unacceptable and cheating that they should be made to bear the cost of providing the regional manager with a means of transport when they are not his employer. She explained that at the time of Rev Twum's assumption of office in July 1999, the unit had an official vehicle that was in good condition. That vehicle was sold " for the simple reason that it did not meet the sophisticated and opulent lifestyle of the regional manager". Miss Nkromah said having succeeded in getting for his office the vehicle of his choice, Rev Twum is now pushing for the formation of an educational unit teachers welfare association to be funded through monthly deductions. She said he is at the same time demanding that 30 per cent of the association's funds should go into the maintenance of his official vehicle.

Rev Twum said the deductions were made with the consent of the teachers. He denied that the official vehicle he came and met was in good condition saying it was not roadworthy. He said no deduction has been made towards the welfare association, adding that he does not force decisions on the teachers. "In all that we do, we ensure adequate consultation with the leadership of the church, the local managers and the teachers", he added.