The National Association of Graduate Teachers' (NAGRAT) Greater Accra Regional Secretariat has given notice that it would cease operations if the government does not pay the cost-of-living allowance of 20% of its wages (COLA).
According to the Association, the rising cost of living has made life intolerable for its members, which is why they are asking the government for help.
NAGRAT's Greater Accra chapter is the tenth regional secretariat to threaten a strike over COLA, after the previous nine.
Henry Teitey Tetteh Afi, chairman of the regional chapter, stated that the organisation anticipates hearing back favourably from the government and its mother union before the month of June is over.
"At this point, the agony and suffering brought on by this extreme economic difficulties are simply intolerable. It is now around our necks. Teachers have given so much of themselves for our country, yet we retire into agony and an inhumane end. We shouldn't permit this situation to persist.
He stated that "if by the end of June 2022, our appeal for COLA is not responded to, they [government] would be left with no other alternative but to hear the clarion cry of our members to lay down our tools."
The Ghana National Association of Teachers is also holding a simultaneous news conference at Cape Coast.
The Association's Central Regional chapter stated that whatever actions it takes in response to the government's failure to pay teachers their cost-of-living stipend by the end of June should not be held accountable.
Benjamin Wilberforce Eshun, the association's regional chairman, has been addressing the media.
"While continuing to support the demand for the 20% COLA to protect our members. By issuing this statement, we are also reminding our leadership of our determination to advise ourselves if the government does not observe the June 22 deadline they provided for payment of the COLA, he said.
In a news conference on Tuesday, June 7, the Association's national leadership stated that its members can no longer endure the horrendous living circumstances in the country.
Jacob Anaba, vice president of NAGRAT, gave the order for red flags to be flown in front of all regional, national, and zonal secretariats.
He maintained that if the government does not comply with their requests, the leadership would call a strike by the end of July 2022.
Therefore, he stated, "we are providing notice to those who matter through this conference that their attitude toward the request by the Union to award COLA to the suffering Ghanaian worker is leaving us with no choice but to comply with the constant demand of our members."