NDC Behind Teachers’ Strike – NAPO

The Minister of Education is accusing teachers of allowing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to influence them.

Dr Mathew Opoku-Prempeh claimed credible information available to him suggested that some NDC members met with some teacher groups to plan the strike.

His comment follows a nationwide strike declared by three teacher unions effective Monday, December 9, 2019 over failure of government to pay legacy arrears of members.

They are Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers.

The aggrieved teachers argue that, the arrears span the period 2012 to 2016 – a situation they described as worrying.

But, a livid Education Minister on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Friday said the action taken by the teachers was political.

“NDC has instigated teachers to go on strike; we know the conversations that have gone on,” he claimed.

Dr Opoku-Prempeh could not fathom why the teachers will still declare strike when out of 120, 000 teachers, they have validated 95, 000 and paid over 87, 000.

The Education Minister noted that there was delay in payment due to discrepancies in the list submitted by the teachers.

“Why didn’t the teachers put pressure on the NDC to pay? Government is trying its best so their action is unfortunate,” he said.

Dr Opoku-Prempeh maintained that, under President Nana Akufo-Addo monies would be paid to only those deserving.