Kade, Sept 21, GNA - Mr George Aboagye, the District GNAT Secretary, has advised teachers in the Kwaebibirem District to remain calm and await further directives from the national leadership of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNA) on whether or not to embark on industrial action.

He said this at a meeting with zone executives of the association at Kade on the protracted 2005 salary negotiations between the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Joint Consultative Forum (JCF). The forum is made up of the GNAT, the Civil Service Association of Ghana (CSAG) and the Judicial Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG). The meeting with the zonal officers was held in the wake of a report that teachers in some parts of the Eastern Region comprising the Brim South, West Akyem, Akuapem North and part of Afram Plains have gone on strike.

''These teachers do not have the backing of the leadership of GNAT since the association has not declared any such action,'' Mr Aboagye said.

He said teachers were fighting for a better future and their action should be devoid of partisan politics.

"The issues at stake should not be given partisan political flavour. If the public fully understand the position of teachers they will fully sympathize with them if it becomes necessary to embark on a strike action."

He urged the NLC to find amicable solution to the impasse to save the school children from the effect of an industrial action.