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The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) will continue to invest in upgrading the skills and knowledge of its members while urging the government to organise quality in-service training for all teachers in the country. GNAT has derived many benefits from its cooperation on teachers’ professional development training with the Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF), according to Thomas Baafi, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT in charge of Education and Professional Development.

Baafi explained that GNAT has been working in partnership with CTF, another EI affiliate, over the last five years. CTF members have provided Ghanaian teachers with training on professional services, enabling them to face changing trends in the educational sector across the world.

Integration of new teachers

Part of this year’s one-week capacity building workshop focused on newly trained teachers who received special orientation to integrate smoothly into the teaching profession. One hundred and fifty Ghanaian teachers participated in the activity, which was organised by GNAT with the support of CTF.

“The integration needs of new entrants in the teaching profession have been neglected for far too long – they have been treated as if their situation was the same as teachers who have been in the profession for a long time,” Baafi said at the closing ceremony of the workshop.

He said that GNAT, also working with CTF, had set up a programme to assist teachers in remote areas of the country in their professional training, so they can perform better in their work.

Baafi used the opportunity to call on the Ghanaian government to show appreciation for the teachers’ efforts to respond to the nation’s educational needs. He said it would be wise for the employer to increase salary levels, in order to help teachers address the growing difficulties in their living conditions.

Teachers to be on top of educational progress and innovation

GNAT President Samuel Doe Alobuia further underlined that the development of teachers’ skills is crucial for education in Ghana, as teachers can only keep pace with innovations in teaching and learning if they receive regular professional training. GNAT's long-running collaboration with teacher organisations globally should be understood in that context.

Alobuia urged workshop participants to put what they had been taught into practice to ensure improved school performance. He added that school leaders should make good use of the acquired knowledge to enhance the administration of their institutions.

The Volta Regional Director of Education, Emmanuel Keteku, also observed that in a profession such as teaching, there is a need to acquire the latest knowledge and skills to help meet challenges. In-service training, he said, is vital to ensure quality education in the country.

He commended GNAT and CTF for their efforts to enhance Ghanaian teachers’ skills and knowledge, particularly in the Volta region where he hoped they would contribute to improving teaching and learning in schools.

CTF representative Martyn Chapman promised that his trade union would continue to collaborate with GNAT on professional development issues and commended GNAT for the warm hospitality enjoyed by the CTF team members during their stay in Ghana.

EI: Quality teachers for quality education

“We know only too well how quality teachers are crucial for quality education for all students in a country,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. “We therefore commend the joint efforts of our GNAT and CTF colleagues to improve teacher qualifications in Ghana.”