GNAT urges Education Minister to proritise implementation of 20% Deprived Area Allowance

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu to ensure that the 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance announced by President John Mahama is implemented next month.

General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah Tanko made the call in an exclusive interview with 3newss’ Labour Affairs correspondent, Daniel Opoku in Accra on February 7.

The 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance has been in the Conditions of Service of teachers for the past fifteen years. Several meetings and negotiations between government and the pre-tertiary teacher unions failed to ensure its implementation.

On Thursday February 6, President John Mahama assured the teachers that the allowance will be implemented. GNAT has lauded President Mahama for his commitment to get it implemented.

Mr Thomas Musah Tanko appealed to the Minister of Education to ensure that the allowance is captured in the 2025 budget to be presented next month.

“In next month’s budget, it must be captured, once the President has spoken it should be an item in the budget. I again believe that is the right call and a right directive given by His Excellency and we say we are grateful to him and we hope that the Minister for Education will ensure that this particular thing is implemented as soon as possible” he urged.

Mr Tanko also urged the President to attend to issues of upgrading qualified members on the Single Spine Salary Structure.

“Aside this particular one, there are other things within it.  For example, the issue about the movement on the Single Spine by the teachers, those who are on Deputy Director to Director, we are hoping that this also will be done,” he said.

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