A day's orientation course for 120 teachers on the theme: "Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), a union of choice," has ended in Bolgatanga with a call on teachers to join the body.
Mr Wilfred Duku Dengah, Upper East Regional GNAT Secretary said GNAT has a membership of 175,000 with a bargaining certificate to negotiate on behalf of teachers and also protect and safeguard the rights as well as promote their academic and professional development.
The Regional Secretary noted that GNAT has been resourceful in the education of its members on their roles and responsibilities and ensured good professional conduct and ethics.
He said GNAT had mobilised its members to join cooperative schemes to provide economic services and social protection for themselves.
He said the market premium being negotiated under the Single Spine Salary Scheme should not affect their performance.
Mr Dengah said GNAT is cooperating with national and international bodies such as non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to promote education and other basic rights to make sure that education is placed on a high pedestal.
The Regional Secretary asked teachers to contribute towards the "teachers fund", which is he said is viable and capable of serving their needs.
Madam Juliet Kawiah, Deputy Director for Human Resource Management and Development of Ghana Education Service (GES), urged teachers to take their profession seriously and upgrade themselves since teaching is becoming sophisticated.
She called on teachers to abide by the conditions of service including the conduct and ethics of the GES to be able to enjoy the benefits of the profession.
Madam Kawiah commended GNAT for the orientation course for the 2010 batch of teachers and called for more of such training especially on subject areas.
Madam Francisca Ateere, Deputy Director for Finance and Administration of the GES advised teachers to seek redress for their grievances through the channels of communication.