Strike cripples public service as govt, labour meeting ends inconclusive

The usual brisk business that characterises work at the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Accra has come to a temporary halt, following the industrial action by 12 labour unions over the management of their second-tier pension.

While work at the MDAs has ground to a halt, the nationwide teachers’ strike has crippled academic work in some public schools.

A visit to the ministries revealed that their offices had virtually been closed, while a number of vehicles belonging to staff working at the ministries that are usually parked at the various yards were absent.

At the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Ministry of Education yard, the story was not different from the situation at the Ministry of Health.

When the Public Relations Officer of the GES, Mr Parker Allotey, was contacted on phone, he said officials at GES were  held up in a meeting over the effects of the teachers’ strike on schools,  but said plans were being put in place to ensure that extra-curricular programmes were drawn up to make up for the days lost in schools.

Meanwhile, some public servants have expressed worry that their salaries may be delayed as a result of the strike because the staff of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department who process the salaries of government workers are also involved in the strike.

While the action has virtually crippled the public, a crunch meeting between representatives of striking public sector workers and Labour and Employment Minister, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, ended inconclusively.

The meeting was an attempt to resolve the controversy surrounding the management of the two-tier pension.

The government has also proceeded to court demanding the return of the workers to work.

Mr Iddrisu met with the angry workers yesterday afternoon in a desperate attempt to find a solution to the problem.

Even as efforts are being made to resolve the controversy, reports from other parts of the country indicate that teachers have abandoned the classrooms, while schoolchildren idle about.

Frustrated parents are calling for a speedy resolution of the impasse to save the future of their children.

Accra

When the Daily Graphic visited a number of schools yesterday, the children were virtually on holiday and loitering, while teachers were absent from work.  reports Victor Kwawukume.

A female teacher at the Nii Sowah Din Cluster of Schools, who would not disclose her name, told the Daily Graphic that they had received correspondence from their union leaders asking them to comply with the strike directive.

Ho

From Ho Tim Dzamboe reports that compounds of basic schools in the Volta Region have virtually been deserted  following the indefinite strike by public sector workers.

A number of schoolchildren had resorted to roaming on the streets.

The Administrator of the Catholic Educational Unit, Mr Steve Salakpi, told the Daily Graphic that the strike was unfortunate,  especially  coming at the time when stakeholders were seeking ways of addressing the falling standards of education in the region.

The Volta Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Linus Cofie Attey,  said conflicts between teachers and the government should be handled carefully. 

Sunyani

From Sunyani Zadok Kwame Gyesi writes that teachers in the Sunyani municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region have joined the nationwide teachers’ strike.

When the Daily Graphic visited some senior high schools (SHSs) and basic schools in the municipality, the classrooms had all been closed.

At the Sunyani Senior High School (SUSEC), for instance, teachers were seen sitting in groups under trees discussing their own issues.

Koforidua

In Koforidua, the strike by teachers is having a serious toll on children in public schools, reports George Folley. 

Most of the schoolchildren, particularly  those whose parents are traders, were seen helping their mothers to sell at the markets or hawking sachet water to make ends meet.

Tamale

From Tamale, Samuel Duodu reports that public schools have been closed down as a result of the strike  by teachers.

That has compelled pupils to stay at home,  while others loiter on the streets.

Some schoolchildren, who were spotted roaming the streets in the metropolis said they were told by their teachers not to come to school until further notice.

Tema

Benjamin Xornam Glover writes from Tema that as workers in the public service intensify their strike, a cross-section of parents and pupils interviewed by the Daily Graphic in Tema expressed worry that the move would have a negative impact on the academic work of pupils.