The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Sekyere Kumawu–Afram Plains District has successfully held its 7th Quadrennial (54th) District Delegates Conference on Friday, 30th May 2025, at the Presbyterian Church Auditorium in Kumawu. The conference was convened under the theme: “Ghana Education Service at 50: Achievements, Teacher Motivation, Challenges and the Way Forward.”
The conference brought together delegates, union leaders, education stakeholders, and dignitaries to reflect on progress made in the teaching profession, deliberate on pressing issues affecting educators, and elect new officers to lead the district union for the next four years.
Delivering the welcome address, District Chairman Mr. Paul Agyemang, popularly known as Nana Kooko, provided a historical overview of the district’s formation. He noted that the process of establishing the GNAT Sekyere Kumawu–Afram Plains District began in 2014 and culminated in its official creation in November 2023. The district currently comprises six GNAT locals: Kumawu, Drobonso, Anyinofi, Dadease, Bodomase, and Samso, with a membership that has increased from 1,300 in 2023 to 1,762 as of September 2024.
Nana Kooko highlighted significant milestones achieved within the short period since the district’s inception. These include the establishment of a permanent district office in Kumawu, staffed with a full-time District Secretary and Office Assistant; comprehensive visits to all six locals; donations of essential educational materials (school uniforms, school bags, footwear, football, exercise books and assorted story books) to Seneso D/A Primary and JHS, sponsorship of an orientation programme for newly recruited teachers; and the organisation of a promotion workshop for eligible teachers in 2024. He noted that these interventions had significantly enhanced the visibility and appeal of GNAT, resulting in rapid membership growth.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Ernest Richard Kwakye, former District GNAT Secretary for Sekyere East. Mr. Kwakye provided an insightful account of GNAT’s historical development and examined current systemic challenges facing teachers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. He advocated for the extension of the School Feeding Programme to include teachers, especially those stationed in communities with limited access to cooked food services closer to the school premises.
Ashanti Regional GNAT Chairman, Mr. Prosper Tachie, commended the district for its growth and dynamism. He urged members to take advantage of the Switch 3.1 Programme, which provides an opportunity for teachers holding Basic Education Certificates to upgrade their qualifications for teaching at the second-cycle level. Mr. Tachie also encouraged members to enrol in the Ashanti GNAT Supreme Care health support scheme and assured members of the region’s continued commitment to improving teacher welfare.
Member of Parliament for Kumawu Constituency, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, attended the conference along with the Presiding Member of the Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly. In his remarks, Hon. Anim underscored the importance of recognising and rewarding teachers not only in words but through concrete actions. He noted that the Kumawu Teachers’ Award Scheme, introduced in the current academic year, marked the beginning of his commitment to celebrating teachers’ contributions. He pledged to scale up the award scheme in the next academic year, promising a more elaborate and inclusive programme to further motivate educators across the constituency.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Nana Kwame Obeng Frimpong, Head of Supervision and Monitoring at the Sekyere Kumawu Education Directorate, and Mr. Richard Sarkodie, Human Resource Officer at the Sekyere Afram Plains District Education Directorate. Both officials lauded GNAT’s leadership and pledged their continued collaboration with the union to promote professionalism, enhance teacher welfare, and strengthen educational delivery across the district.
The conference was also attended by representatives from the Ghana Police Service (Detective Chief Inspector Emmanuel Sarpong) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), represented by Mr. Desmond Atta. These officials provided participants with valuable insights into teacher safety, legal rights, and professional responsibilities. PRETAG (formerly CCT-GH) was represented by Mr. Obed Owusu Richmond (District Secretary) and Mr. Owusu Agyekum Marfo (District Welfare), who delivered goodwill messages and affirmed the importance of inter-union cooperation.
Scroll through Pictures at the event 👇
In addition, representatives from Teachers’ Fund, MiLife Insurance, and SSNIT educated participants on available packages and benefits, and encouraged teachers to utilise digital platforms to manage personal records and access services more efficiently.
The conference concluded with the election and formal swearing-in of new GNAT District Executive Officers who will serve a four-year term. Re-elected District Chairman Mr. Paul Agyemang, speaking on behalf of the new leadership, expressed his gratitude to the delegates for their confidence.
“We accept this responsibility with humility and a clear vision to promote the welfare of teachers and uphold the professional values that define our calling,” he stated.
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