GNAT Rescinds Decision to Withdraw Teachers

Ghana National Association of Teachers

The Volta region branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has rescinded its decision to withdraw teachers in three out of the five Krachi Districts, following an alleged murder of three teachers in the area.

According to the Association, the decision became necessary in view of the commitment demonstrated by the various stakeholders to ensure safety of teachers.

The anger that pushed the Volta regional executives to declare the withdrawal of the teachers when school reopened was due to the recent death of Marshal Mensah Manasseh, a teacher at the Hunorkope Primary School in the Krachi-Nchumuru District.

The Volta Regional Secretary of GNAT, Mr. Linus C. Attey in a statement stated that GNAT is encouraging teachers to feel free and continue with their work in three of the Krachi Districts following the expressions and concerns shown by the traditional authorities in the area in relation to the death of the three teachers.

The statement noted that GNAT was so far satisfied with the conduct of chiefs in the Krachi area, when the Volta Regional Security Council, led by its Chairman and the Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afortey Agbo, and top security officers and key stakeholders of education in the area, including the family members of the late Marshal Mensah Manasseh, visited the area and held a meeting at Chindiri, the District capital of Krachi-Nchumuru.

The statement, however, cautioned that GNAT would be on the alert to monitor development in relation to teachers' security and wellbeing and any reported incident of death or calculated attempt to harm teachers in the area, the Teacher Association would then take drastic measures that would be non-negotiable to serve as deterrent to others.

The statement commended the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) for the commitment shown in protecting teachers in the area, the Regional Education Directorate and the manner in which the family members of the deceased conducted themselves as well as the willingness of teachers in the area to continue rendering services to the people.

When contacted, the Krachi-Nchumuru District Chief Executive, Mr. Solomon Kuyon thanked the regional GNAT for the decision to allow teachers to continue their work in the Districts, but called for further collaboration between the District Assemblies and the Teacher Association, because GNAT did not consult the Assemblies on the issue before its decision.

Mr. Kuyon stressed that all the stakeholders of education in the Districts had demonstrated much commitment to ensuring that the teachers go about their duties without fear, saying the District Assemblies always do their best to ensure the safety of teachers in the respective areas which would continue to be an integral part of the Assembly's development activities.

The DCE said the decision by GNAT is a welcome one to the people, particularly the Assembly, and pledged that as the Chairman of the District Security Council, he would do everything possible to ensure that teachers live and work peacefully in the District, without threat to their personal security