The Member of Parliament (MP) for Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region has bemoaned the deplorable working conditions of teachers in the country.

Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi noted that the situation called for a stronger economy to financially empower the government and enable it to adequately resource teachers to encourage them to give their best.

The lawmaker made the call after he fulfilled a GHS100,000 pledge to the education directorate of Lower Manya on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Mr. Terlabi bemoaned the deplorable conditions under which teachers worked but urged them to continue to give their best for the children.

“Honestly, the average teacher in this country is underpaid and underresourced, and we would be able to take good care of our teachers if we’re able to manage our economy well, cut waste, and make sure that we put in some efforts to better the lot of the teacher,” he said.

Expressing regret over the deplorable working conditions, he furthered: “We know the circumstances under which they (teachers) are working, especially in Lower Manya, a very difficult situation, but at least if they’re recognized, it gives them the urge to do more.”

The donation of GHS 70,000 on Monday was in fulfillment of an earlier promise made by the lawmaker to the directorate as part of his contribution towards the successful organization of this year’s district teachers' awards program scheduled for July 23.

The Lower Manya teacher prize was launched a few weeks ago to reward dedicated, hardworking, and long-serving teachers in the district.

The recognition of the teachers is to demonstrate the directorate’s commitment to their welfare, including that of non-teaching staff.

The presentation of the cheque was done at a short ceremony at the Lower Manya Krobo Education Directorate at Kpong.

As part of his commitment to the Teachers’ Day event, the MP pledged to contribute his quota to assist the education directorate in successfully holding the event.

The MP, who pledged GHS 100,000 on the day of the launch of the event, made an initial part payment of GHS 30,000 to demonstrate his commitment to fulfilling his promise and promised to honor the rest of his pledge in due course.

“On that day, I pledged to donate GHS 100,000 towards the program, for which I gave an advance of GHS 30,000. Today, I’m here, and I’ve presented the rest of the pledge, GHS 70,000, to top up."

“I want to see this program come off because I’ve been monitoring and there have been instances where they’ve done a lot of work but then they were limited by finances, and that’s the reason why I’m committing to support,” he said.

The lawmaker, adding that the gesture wasn’t going to be the end of his assistance to the education directorate and teachers in general, was convinced that his support would go a long way to serve as the required incentive to motivate teachers in the face of their adverse working conditions.

Mr. Terlabi was accompanied by the NDC constituency chairman, John Atter Matey, the women organizer, Grace Maku, and the secretary, Felix Amanor.

On his part, the Municipal Director at the Lower Manya Krobo District Education Directorate, Samuel Kwesi Tettey, received the check on behalf of the directorate.

He noted that though the program was intended to be held annually, a lack of resources thwarted this ambition; however, assurances of support from various quarters encouraged the directorate to proceed with its plans for the program this year.

Expressing his appreciation to the MP for his kind gesture, the elated municipal director remarked that the fulfillment of the pledge was a firm assurance that, together with support from other sources, the organization of this year’s event would be successful.

He said, “If the other pledges are redeemed, we would be able to hold this program to reward the teaching and non-teaching staff from the KG to the junior high school who have trained our children, many of whom have grown to become responsible citizens."

Mr. Tettey, however, called for additional funding for the event, adding that the arms of the GES were still open for more support from various groups and individuals towards the successful organization of the event.