NAGRAT: Disregard Ghanaian Times Publication, Strike Is Still On Till...

Mr. Christian Addai-Poku, president of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has outlined two conditions the government must fulfill to get striking teachers back to work; 1. the government must send circulars to the teachers, accompanied by evidence of cheques (even if photo copies) to pay off service allowances for teachers outstanding for nine months, or 2. that teachers due the allowances can actually access the money in their bank accounts. Failing these, Addai-Poku, who was speaking on Adom FM, said NAGRAT members will continue to stay out of the classroom until the demands are met, cautioning also that no amount of pleadings and promises would be entertained because the teachers were tired of them since they always turn out empty. Members of the association embarked on a strike on Monday to press home demands for outstanding allowances. They are also engaged in negotiations to get their service conditions improved, however the NAGRAT president said while they await the conclusion of the negotiations, they can make do with what is rightfully theirs, even if paltry. Addai-Poku also picked issues with the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service, Paul Krampah, questioning if the latter had now assumed the role of a propagandist or remains a PRO of the GES. According to Addai-Poku, Krampah has told a lie in claiming that the government has concluded negotiations with teachers over their concerns and for which teachers should return to the classroom. He said while officials claim to have invited the striking teachers to a meeting to thrash out the issues, no such invitation was extended to them. Addai-Poku also called on members of the association to disregard a publication in the Ghanaian Times of Tuesday, March 2, 2010, announcing an end to the strike. He said the strike still holds until clear evidence emerge of a settlement.