Ho, July 18, GNA - Dr George Mawusi Afeti, Principal of the Ho Polytechnic, on Friday said government had approved the payment of new salaries and arrears for Polytechnic teachers. He urged members of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) to call off their nine day-old strike to demand payment of the 17 per cent salary increase agreed between POTAG and government. This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Afeti, copied to the President of the Local POTAG, Deans, Departmental Heads and the academic staff among others. Dr Afeti said, "Continuation of this localised industrial action over an issue that is national in character can only succeed in disrupting the already tight academic calendar of the Polytechnic and tarnish the image and reputation of the institution'. The statement said staff would be paid their entitlements as soon as the necessary administrative and financial procedures had been completed.