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GNAT Executives hold bilateral discussions with NTC management
The 246,000 teachers across the country are expected to see an improvement in their working conditions and general wellbeing as projected by the new executives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
The executives, among other things, intend to improve stakeholder engagement, good corporate governance, professional development and enhanced remuneration for teachers.
The acquistion of the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre by the association is also expected to be ease the financial burden associated with treatment of cancer and cancer related illnesses by members.
Reverend Isaac Owusu, the GNAT National President, made these remarks when the association paid a courtsey call on the Management of New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra on Tuesday.
The visit was to officially introduce the newly elected national executives to the management of NTC and discuss possible areas of collaboration between the two entities.
The five newly elected national executives of GNAT who would serve a four-year term are: Reverend Isaac Owusu, National President, Mrs Lucy Amanda Asamoa, Vice President; Mr Ransford K.N Lolih, Treasurer; Mr John Owusu Mensah, 1st Trustee and Ms Mercy Nabia Sagbil as the 2nd Trustee.
Mr Daniel Affadu and Mr Kwame Dagbandow, Deputy Secretaries; and Mr Nicholas Taylor, Head of Administration and Organisation and other members of the association accompanied them.
Reverend Isaac Owusu gave the assurance that the new executives would build on the good works of its predecessors.
“The newly elected officers have a huge task but we would work in the interest of members to make GNAT continue to stay relevant”, he said.
Mrs Lucy Amanda Asamoa, said that the association had made some remarkable strides in the past 90 years and urged members to honour their monthly obligations to the Teachers’ Fund.
The Managing Director of New Times Corporation, Mr. Martin Adu-Owusu congratulated the new officers and assured them of the NTC’s unflinching support for the association.
“Gone were the days when the saying was that the teachers’ rewards were in heaven, the status quo does not hold today, I am urging you to work hard to ensure that welfare and wellbeing of teachers are enhanced,” he said.
Mr David Agbenu, Editor of the Ghanaian Times, urged GNAT to address any challenges that may disrupt academic work in future.
Mr Emmanuel Amponsah, Editor of The Spectator advised the executives to work assiduously for the interest of all its members and jealously guard the image of the association.
By Portia Hutton-Mills & Richael Ammah
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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