Takoradi, Sept. 25, GNA - The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has debunked the notion that it had now become a "toothless bull dog" either through intimidation or influence from any quarters of its leaders.

Mr Solomon Aidoo, Western Regional Vice Chairman of the Association gave the assurance that NAGRAT was still alive to its responsibility to seek equity and fairness to enhance the welfare of its members. He was addressing a meeting of NAGRAT members in the Sekondi-Takoradi zone at Takoradi on Wednesday, at which members' welfare, the upcoming 10th anniversary celebrations of the association, and the proposed national rally to be held in Kumasi on October 3, were among issues discussed.

"It is not true that we have been silenced in any form over our demands; we are still working hard behind the scenes to ensure that all our demands are met," Mr Aidoo said. Mr Titus K. Anderson, the Zonal Chairman urged members to continue to rally solidly behind the national executives to fight for a separate bargaining certificate for fair wages and other emoluments, adding that, action to realise such demands would not necessarily be confrontational. He intimated that "the time to take the bull by the horns has come" and urged NAGRAT members to give their full support and cooperation to leaders of the association.

Mr Samuel M. Dadzie, Regional Secretary of NAGRAT gave the ultimatum that the Ghana Education Service should take steps to pay salary arrears of NAGRAT members whose salaries were blocked as the result of their action in 2006 by the end of September. The responsibility allowance for NAGRAT members must also be honoured and intimated that the national congress in Kumasi would decide on the next line of action to be taken if these demands were not met. Mr Dadzie briefed members about the outcome of the recent NAGRAT national congress at Koforidua and some of the achievements and successes chalked by the association since its formation seven years ago.

They included the establishment of regional secretariats for all regional branches of the association, to enhance their operations. Others are the establishment of a "Gender Desk" and a welfare fund to highlight the activities of women and improve the wellbeing of members, and also the institution of "NAGRAT WEEK". Mr Dadzie said the scheme adopted by the association under which plots of land and cars were being acquired for members to enhance their welfare was being pursued vigorously.