Bolgatanga, June 7, GNA- The Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has expressed disappointment at the delay in the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP), scheduled for this year. The Regional GNAT Secretary, Mr. Attey Linus Coffie who issued a press statement in Bolgatanga, at the weekend, said teachers in the region would wear red arm bands to register their protest at the slow pace of the implementation of the SSPP. He said the plight of teachers had been worsened by the rising rate of inflation and the high cost of utility services, house rent, food and consumable items and the downward trend of the real value of their earnings.

"Our hopes have been that by January 2009, each of us would have been enjoying fairer salary structure devoid of distortions and disparities, which would motivate us to work," He said. Mr. Coffie expressed worry about the undue delay of the National Pension Act, and called on Government to stop playing politics with the scheme to enhance the productivity of workers. He warned that if Government continue to be insensitive to the plight of workers in the face of economic hardship, then teachers in the region would advise themselves.