AUDIO: NAGRAT refuses to call off strike but gov't says they should apologise to Ghanaians

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) have been asked to render apology to Ghanaians following their strike action despite government’s assurances that teachers will be paid arrears owed them by Friday, April 6.
Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare, who made the point this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Thursday said NAGRAT’s strike was needless.
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According to her, there had been an official correspondence between her outfit and the Ghana Education Service (GES) on timelines for the settlement of arrears and therefore wondered why NAGRAT will take such a stand.
“I think NAGRAT’s strike is needless and is in bad taste. They should re-think and know that their decision is risky. I know there have been some consultations and therefore it will be appropriate to think about their decision and go back” she said.
“They should apologise to Ghanaians and the students under their care because their posture is wrong” she added.
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Mrs. Osei-Asare indicated that by April 6, their (NAGRAT) monies will hit their accounts, so the teacher unions should wait until then before issuing complaints.
The Controller and Accountant General’s Department, she noted, has been working throughout the Easter break to ensure that the money hits the accounts by April 6.
Meanwhile, President of NAGRAT, Eric Egbe-Carbonu, on the same show said NAGRAT will not call off its strike despite government’s assurances.
He rather urged the government to apologize to them for what he describes as neglect of teachers.
READ MORE: Napo assures NAGRAT of payment of arrears
Mr Carbonu said the scheduled payment to the 2,500 teachers barely covers 5% of the total number of unpaid teachers hence calling off the strike will be a wrong move on the basis of the said promise.
“2,500 [cedis] covers less than 5 percent of the total number of people who have been affected. What has the Audit Service done all these years with the validation exercise that is going on. There should be documentation to prove”, he noted.