NAGRAT Issues 5-Day Ultimatum Over Unlawful Salary Withholding at Akwamuman SHS
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A five-day ultimatum issued to the Asuogyaman Education Directorate and the headmaster of Akwamuman Senior High School, urging the immediate restoration of withheld salaries for some teachers.
The Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Asuogyaman Education Directorate and the headmaster of Akwamuman Senior High School, urging the immediate restoration of withheld salaries for some teachers. The dispute centers on the decision of the headmaster, Anim-Addo Asuoko, to withhold the July and August salaries of teachers who failed to attend a Professional Learning Community (PLC) session, which NAGRAT views as an unjust punitive measure.
According to NAGRAT, the actions of the headmaster exceed his authority under the Ghana Education Service (GES) guidelines. The association emphasized that the GES code of conduct does not permit the withholding of salaries or the requirement for apology letters as penalties for missing PLC meetings. The PLC initiative, introduced nearly eight years ago, was designed to promote continuous professional development, enhance teachers' skills, and provide credit points for career advancement. However, NAGRAT insists that attendance at these sessions should not impact the payment of salaries.
During a press briefing on October 25 at NAGRAT’s Eastern Regional Secretariat in Koforidua, the association’s regional chairman, Awoonor-Yevu Godwin, criticized the headmaster's actions, describing them as “disheartening” and harmful to teachers' morale. He warned that such measures create a toxic work environment and discourage teachers from performing effectively. The association demanded an immediate resolution to the matter, cautioning that further steps could be taken if the teachers’ salaries were not reinstated within the given timeframe.
Awoonor-Yevu expressed concern over the treatment of teachers who missed the PLC session, stating, “It has come to our attention that teachers who were unable to attend PLC sessions are being unfairly punished. There is no provision within the GES conditions of service that authorizes headmasters to withhold salaries or demand apology letters as a condition for lifting such sanctions.”
He further stressed that headmasters and education directors must respect teachers' rights and avoid overstepping their authority. “It is unfortunate that teachers are being penalized in this way. Such actions are not only unfair but also counterproductive and demoralizing,” Awoonor-Yevu added.
NAGRAT called on the headmaster to revoke his decision immediately and restore the teachers' salaries. The association also appealed to municipal and district education directors to refrain from victimizing teachers who are unable to attend PLC and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions. NAGRAT emphasized that professional development should encourage participation, not punish those who are unable to attend, and warned of potential escalation if the issue is not resolved promptly.
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