The living conditions of Ghanaian teachers have deteriorated significantly under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration compared to the tenure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to Dr. Francis Adomako, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Wednesday morning, Dr. Adomako criticized the government’s failure to deliver on its electoral promises to the education sector, noting that the pledge to improve the welfare of educators remains unfulfilled nearly two years into President John Dramani Mahama’s term.
Unfulfilled Promises:
Dr. Adomako highlighted several specific areas where he believes the government has fallen short:
Licensure Examinations:
Despite campaign pledges to abolish the teacher licensure examination, the administration has retained the requirement, with teachers now facing higher registration fees to sit for the assessment.
Vehicle Import and Tax Relief:
Promises to grant low-interest auto loans to teachers and reduce import taxes on vehicles at the ports have failed to materialize.
Career Progression:
Promotions for teachers who completed higher professional certifications and training upgrades have been stalled or sidelined.
Unpaid Allowances:
Significant arrears in legitimate work-related allowances and entitlement payments owed to educators remain outstanding.
Subsidized Meals in Training Colleges: Dining hall provisions for students and staff at teacher training institutions have reportedly been cut from three meals a day to just one.
“It is deeply troubling that almost two years into President Mahama’s administration, not a single promise made to teachers in the NDC manifesto has been honored,” Dr. Adomako stated.
He added, “I fully support the teachers in their current industrial action. Refusing to return to work until their legitimate allowances are paid is a justified response to the neglect they have experienced.”
Background
The statements come amid an ongoing strike by Ghanaian teacher unions that has entered its second week.
The industrial action was triggered by the non-payment of salary arrears, outstanding allowances, and delayed professional entitlements.
Recent negotiations involving the Teacher Unions, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ministry of Education ended in a deadlock.
Union representatives insist they will not call off the strike until the government presents a clear, binding roadmap detailing exact timelines for settling all outstanding financial claims.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/ Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
