Feyiase (Ash), Jan. 25, GNA - The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has described as untrue and misplaced the notion that was opposed to the formation of splinter groups or associations amongst teachers.

Mr Johnson Kwaku Adu, the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District Secretary of GNAT, said the association recognised and respected freedom of association as provided for in the country's Constitution and would therefore do nothing to obstruct any teacher from enjoying such a right. Mr Adu was speaking at the closing ceremony of a day's workshop organised by the District Secretariat of GNAT at Feyiase at the weekend. The 120 newly appointed and posted teachers to the district that participated in the workshop, were enlightened on their responsibilities as teachers and the structure of the GNAT.

He stated that membership of GNAT was voluntary and not compulsory, but it would be in the interest of all teachers to strive to join.

Mr Adu explained that the emergence of a group like the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) was only a challenge to GNAT and not a threat to the existence and influence that GNAT wielded over teachers.

Mr A.K. Bonsu, the Kumasi Metropolitan GNAT Secretary and a resource person at the workshop, expressed regret that the current pension scheme under SSNIT left teachers worse off than before. He urged the government to either restore the 'CAP 30' to teachers or strive to improve on the SSNIT pension scheme to make it more beneficial to teachers.