Teachers in Sekondi-Takoradi on strike

Takoradi, Sept. 29, GNA - Teachers within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis on Thursday withdrew their services indefinitely over the undue delay and refusal of the Government to pay them their negotiated salaries.

The teachers wearing red arm and head bands chanted "Action Now! Action Now! "Tsooboi" and "We want our money or no teaching." Their action was the outcome of a meeting by the teachers at Takoradi in defiance of an order from their leaders for a protest march on October 4.

The Western Regional Executives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) convened the meeting to brief members on the latest developments in the negotiations for their salary arrears. Mr. Joseph E. Amissah, Western Regional Secretary of GNAT told the teachers that the Government had decided to pay 10 per cent salary increase from June instead of March this year.

He assured them that the National Executives of GNAT were having a meeting with the Government on Thursday, September 29 and would communicate the outcome to them.

The teachers became furious when they were informed that the negotiations had reached a deadlock and the issue referred to the National Labour Commission (NLC) for mediation.

They decided that they would only return to the classroom after the Government had paid the arrears.

A similar meeting with teachers in the Shama area is expected in the afternoon.