The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to ensure the swift implementation of the 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance, which President John Mahama recently promised to teachers.
The allowance, which has been part of the teachers’ Conditions of Service for the past 15 years, has faced numerous delays despite several negotiations between the government and pre-tertiary teacher unions.
In an exclusive interview with 3news’ Labour Affairs correspondent, Daniel Opoku, on February 7, General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah Tanko, emphasized the urgency of honoring the commitment made by the President.
While the 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance has been stipulated in the Conditions of Service for over a decade, teachers across the country have experienced significant challenges in seeing its implementation. Despite repeated discussions between teacher unions and the government, efforts to ensure the allowance was implemented had repeatedly stalled, leaving many educators disappointed.
ALSO READ: GNAT Approves Nomination Forms for 2025-2026 Elections
However, in a move that has sparked optimism among teachers, President John Mahama reassured the teaching community on February 6 that the allowance would finally be realized. GNAT has expressed its appreciation for the President’s commitment to fulfilling this long-awaited promise.
Tanko, speaking on behalf of GNAT, is now urging Minister Haruna Iddrisu to take swift action to ensure that the allowance is included in the 2025 budget, which is set to be presented next month. He stressed the importance of incorporating the necessary provisions in the budget to ensure teachers in deprived areas receive the much-needed support.
With teachers across the country eagerly awaiting the allowance, GNAT’s call for swift implementation underscores the growing need for better conditions for educators, particularly in areas with limited resources. The 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance is seen as a vital tool in incentivizing teachers to work in under-resourced regions, where their contributions are crucial to improving education standards.
The government’s response to this call will likely be closely watched by educators, as the allowance’s implementation will serve as a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by teachers in some of the country’s most underserved communities.
Join our WHATSAPP CHANNEL, WHATSAPP GROUP 1, WHATSAPP GROUP 2 and TELEGRAM CHANNEL to get all relevant teaching resources to make your lessons effective.
Subscribe to this blog and follow us on facebook
