Delayed promotions put teachers’ retirement benefits at risk – GNAT

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed concern over delays in processing teacher promotions, which could impact the retirement benefits of senior teachers nearing the end of their careers. National President Prosper Tackie highlighted that promotions have a direct effect on teachers' retirement benefits, emphasizing the union's seriousness about resolving the issue.

Tackie explained that discrepancies in figures between the Controller and Accountant General's Department and the Ghana Education Service have arisen due to differing accounts of teachers across various ranks. He noted that the higher ranks include approximately 58,000 teachers, while lower ranks add another 22,000, totaling more than 80,000 teachers.

Tackie pointed out that the Controller and Accountant General's Department may have only accounted for the 58,000 higher-ranked teachers, neglecting the remaining lower-ranked ones. This oversight, according to Tackie, highlights the urgency of resolving the matter promptly to protect teachers' retirement funds. He also recalled the arduous process teachers underwent during last year's promotions, which were scheduled in December to ensure completion before the government's clearance expired at the end of the budget year.

Despite the hardships, including exams conducted amidst Christmas celebrations, some teachers were only notified of their results months later, in April, as President Mahama was preparing to commission the PESCAN project in Sweden. Tackie emphasized that the delayed promotions are a significant concern for teachers nearing retirement and have been brought to President Mahama's attention, underscoring the union's commitment to addressing these issues.