All Teachers Alliance Ghana (ATAG), a splitter teacher union, has expressed worry over what it describes as lack of adequate support for grassroots teachers, especially those in rural Ghana. The group says the time has come for all teachers to be emancipated from financial difficulties and enjoy enhanced living conditions. “The new crop of teaching professionals are ready to fight their own course to show the young teacher’s capability of managing his own affairs by gaining financial freedom,” General Secretary for the group, Albert Dadson, said. Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, ATAG observed the three existing teacher unions; GNAT, NAGRAT and Coalition for Concerned Teachers, have over the years failed to prioritize the welfare of grassroots teachers. Mr. Dadson said most of the new entrants into the teaching profession have lost interest in joining any teacher union due to the persistent failure to improve living conditions of teachers. “The persistent failures of the existing teacher unions after being entrusted with responsibilities and collective bargaining, has killed interest of many teachers to put their destinies in the hands of another teacher union. “We can no longer allow any teacher unions to take advantage of us by neglecting our welfare”, Mr Dadson declared. Ashanti regional chairman of the group, Aboagye Ofori noted that the formation of ATAG is to create economic opportunities for all teachers. He questioned why the existing teacher unions give loans to members at an 18 per cent interest rate when it can be reduced to 8 per cent since the money is generated from their dues. “We at ATAG want to ensure that the grassroots teacher does not go on pension with financial burden,” he assured. The new splitter teacher union intends to develop members through advanced research, innovation and new policies to secure their financial freedom. By Ibrahim Abubakar|3news.com|Ghana]]>
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