Amos Owusu, the Atwima District Chairperson of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has lamented the poor welfare of teachers in Ghana.
According to the GNAT Chairperson, one cannot be a teacher in Ghana and live a good life.
He expressed deep concern about the welfare of teachers, stating that a teacher can’t build a house these days in Ghana.
The GNAT Chairperson speaking, lamented saying, “It is not possible for a teacher to build a house these days. There is no prosperity in teaching. You cannot teach and live a good life”.
“Even among our leaders in Ghana, how many would allow their children to attend Colleges of Education to become teachers?” he asked.
“Even the students we teach do not aspire to become teachers because of how poorly teachers are treated in this country,” he noted.
He added, “Teaching has become a stepping stone. Many people enter the profession and later switch careers or travel abroad in search of better conditions. You cannot remain in Ghana and teach to live even an average life”.
The GNAT Chairperson further detailed allowances and benefits owed to teachers.
“Car maintenance allowance has not been paid since 2021, and even when it is paid, it is less than GH¢600. What is painful is that we are given assurances, but they are never fulfilled,” he lamented.
The GNAT Chairperson added, “In other professions, like banking, workers are supported to acquire vehicles because of better conditions of service, but teachers are left behind”.
“Our conditions of service state that the government should cater for the healthcare of teachers, their spouses, and up to four children, but no government has implemented this,” he said.
“There is a death service condition where the government is supposed to provide a coffin, an ambulance, and even support funeral arrangements when a teacher dies. This has never been implemented,” he stated.
“A teacher who has worked for over 35 years does not retire with even GH¢50,000, and even at the highest rank, one may not receive up to GH¢100,000. If you depend on a pension to complete a building project, you may never finish it,” he explained.
“We plead with the current government to help us. Stakeholders must also support our call so that we can secure better conditions of service. Teachers are suffering,” he appealed.
In other news, the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has told the John Mahama-led government to shut down colleges of Education if the government cannot be employed.
According to the TTAG, the 7,000 number of teachers being employed by the Mahama government is woefully inadequate.
The TTAG also demanded that the government fulfil its promise to automatically post trained teachers.
He highlighted that more than 45,000 trained teachers remain without postings, with over 65,000 students currently enrolled in Colleges of Education.
Speaking at a press conference at the association’s national secretariat on Wednesday, April 22, TTAG President Nanija Devine stated, “The 7,000 number is too small for our workforce, and for that matter, it should be increased to absorb all the qualified, trained teachers in the system. We are also making it a firm demand that the government must honour the automatic posting of trained teachers,” he said.
“Those currently in the Colleges of Education are over 65,000. If the 45,000 already in the system do not know when they will be posted, then what about those still in training? What is the essence of their education?” he questioned.
“If indeed the government cannot recruit the 45,000 trained teachers in the system, then the Colleges of Education should consider closing down.”