A nationwide strike declared by three major teacher unions in Ghana has been called a “non-starter” by labour consultant Yiadom Boakye Amponsah.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Gh) announced the strike on Wednesday (20 March).
Amponsah, speaking on Asaase Radio’s Big Bulletin on Wednesday (20 March), argued that the unions failed to follow proper procedure.
“In this business we always have rules of engagement,” Amponsah said. “If it (negotiations) has already taken place and you are not getting what you want, you don’t declare a strike; you go to the labour commission and complain,” he said.
Amponsah suggested a potential communication breakdown between union leadership and rank-and-file members. “The union takes their strength and power from the rank-and-file but it appears as if there is a communication gap between the leadership and the members of the unions, which is also a problem.”
Amponsah advised the unions to reconsider their approach. “I believe that they should go back to the drawing board and possibly go back to the people and rework things,” he said.
“We are getting to a situation where the leadership of the union have taken up so much power and because of the political situation in the country, they know that when they do these things, it can get government to buckle up but that is not labour relations.”
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Azay FM 89.1 in Takoradi, Bead FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa, Sissala Radio 96.3 in Tumu, Somuaa FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in to broadcasts online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming on facebook.com/asaase99.5. Also on YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
#WeAreHere
#WeLoveOurLand
