The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has warned the government that if they don’t receive a 20% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), they won’t continue to teach in the classroom.
When the President delivered his May Day address at the May Day parade that was held in Black Star Square in Accra, the teachers union and organized labor made a fervent appeal to the President through the Secretary General of TUC.
During a cost of living debate with Alfred Ocansey on the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show, Mr. Christian Adinkra, Chairman of the Adenta, Abokobi, and Madina GNAT District, explained that without the COLA, the teacher gets to the classroom dejected.
“Paying COLA is non-negotiable; no COLA no Classroom” Mr. Adinkra stressed
He explained that GNAT’s demand for at least 20% Cost of Living Allowance is justified, considering the rate of inflation in Ghana which stands at about 27.6% as of June 2022. “Things are getting more expensive day by day. Food has become expensive, transport fares have gone up, and everything has shot up except the salaries of teachers. Seriously, teachers in Ghana are stressed and frustrated”.
The Secretary-General of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Ghana, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah during the presentation of his May Day speech appealed to President Akuffo-Addo to pay government workers a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of 20% to help cushion them against the impact of inflation which stood at 19.4 % as at April.
“In July 2021 when we were negotiating on minimum wage, inflation was just 9% but now inflation has increased to 19.4%. Between March 2021 and March 2022 food prices have increased by 24% on the average. For example, water has increased by 27%, price of cereals and cereal products has increased by 25%, price of meet increased by 20.2%, fish and other sea food increased by 23.7%, price of oils increased by 28.2%, price of fruits increased by 22% and the price of vegetables increased by 23.8%” Mr. Baah iterated
The GNAT leader said they had given the government until the end of June this year to grant the 20 per cent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) or risk the anger of over 240,000 teachers nationwide but it has not reflected on the June pay slip of teachers.
According to GNAT the current delay continues to affect the meager earnings of workers. This has affected the basic necessities of life, the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah Tanko has said.
