General News of Monday, 2 December 2019

Source: Ivan Heathcote-Fumador

We owe no teacher an allowance or salary arrears - NAPO

Matthew Opoku Prempeh Matthew Opoku Prempeh

Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has stated that no teacher has any course to claim arrears in salaries and allowances under the Nana Akufo-Addo presidency.

Speaking at the 70th Anniversary commemoration of the Prempeh College where he is an alumnus, Dr. Opoku Prempeh insisted, “between 2017 and now, we owe no teacher an allowance or salary arrears.”

“In fact the 2012 – 2016 arrears, we have paid over two thirds to deserving teachers,” he added.

The Manhyia South legislator disclosed that teachers will soon see an enhanced documented condition of service against the status quo which has existed since the year 2011.

“As we speak, the Fair Wages And Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Education and the Teacher Unions are in Peduase negotiating new conditions of service for teachers.”

Dr. Opoku Prempeh, however, admitted that he has had to answer to grilling sessions from the President Akufo Addo for neglecting teacher welfare since he took office.

He assured that the remaining months of the Akufo Addo Administration are expected to see a Teacher – First approach to education administration in the country.

The 70th anniversary of the Prempeh College saw in attendance the Asantehene Otumffuo Osei Tutu the second, former president John Agyekum Kuffour who is an alumnus, former finance minister Kwabena Duffour also an alumnus and several other present and past government functionaries who passed through the four walls of the college.

RE: The Director for Ministry of Education, Ekow Vincent Assafuah has stated that the minister has not stated anywhere that, teachers are not owed allowances or salaries. He added, the Minister, rather, indicated that, since 2017, teachers recruited are not owed any allowances.