Priest calls for establishment of retired teachers association

Reverend Prophet Emmanuel Gregory Awayevu Akpanya, an independent priest, has called for the establishment of a “Retired Teachers Association,” whose members will offer their services when teachers in active duty embark on illegal strikes.

He was reacting to the nationwide strike by members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), which began last week March 18.

Rev. Akpanya said members of the proposed Retired Teachers Association could serve as an advisory body to the teaching profession as well as the Ghana Education Service.

He described the strike as unfortunate and urged the teachers to rescind their decision and return to the classroom.

“It is rather unfortunate and highly deplorable for teachers and tutors to hold the entire nation to ransom,” Rev. Akpanya said.

He said teachers in active service needed to know that their predecessors, who taught them, had more grievances yet demonstrated high level of patriotism, which they must learn from.

“Our teachers must simply make their actions reflect virtue and not vice,” Rev. Akpanya said.

He commended government for taking measures towards ensuring that the impending West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) went on smoothly and called for support from all.