The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Michel Camp Local has elected new executives at the 2025 Local Conference.
As part of the Constitution of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), new executives are to be elected after serving a term (2 years).
Based on this constitutional binding, GNAT Michel Camp Local in the Greater Accra Region held their 2025 Local Conference to elect new executives to champion the affairs of the Local for another two (2) years.
At the conference held on the 14th of March 2025, at Michel Camp in the Kpone Katamansu Municipality in Accra, new executives were elected through the ballot method of voting. Notably, Adolf Dameh Akafo emerged victoriously as the Chairman to lead the affairs of GNAT Michel Camp Local for the next two (2) years.
List of new Executives for GNAT Michel Camp Local
- Adolf Dameh Akafo – Chairman
- Christiana Agbolosu – Vice Chair
- Jonas Tenkorang – Secretary
- Stephen Wegbey – Assistant Secretary
- Rahmat Afua Arhin – Treasurer
- Patrick Boahene – Basic School Coordinator
- Lydia Gyami – GNATLAS Coordinator
- Diana Arkorful – Youth Coordinator
Dignitaries present at the Local Conference were the Tema Metro GNAT Executives led by the Metro Chairman, Mr. Abednego Nuertey.
Present at the conference was an astute educationalist/columnist, Wisdom Koudjo Klu. He spoke on the theme “Learning for a Sustainable Future: Attracting and Retaining Teachers for Quality Education and Union Participation.” Below are a few highlights from his speech.
Challenges in Attracting and Retaining Teachers
Throughout my (Wisdom Koudjo Klu) journey in education and advocacy, I’ve witnessed the systemic issues that drive many teachers away from their profession. These include low pay, insufficient opportunities for professional development, poor working conditions, and a lack of recognition for the vital contributions teachers make.
Many enthusiastic individuals enter teaching but become disenchanted over time due to unclear career advancement routes and minimal institutional support.
As Henry Adams insightfully noted, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Yet, how can we expect teachers to carry such a heavy responsibility when they lack the necessary support and resources?
A major concern is teacher turnover, with qualified educators choosing to leave the profession or look for roles outside of teaching due to dissatisfaction. When experienced teachers depart, it disrupts the continuity of learning and adversely impacts student outcomes. Moreover, the struggle to attract fresh, enthusiastic teachers leads to an aging workforce, teacher shortages, and declining instructional quality. Thus arises the question: how can we enhance the appeal and sustainability of the teaching profession?
Strategies for Retention and Quality Education
1. Creating a Supportive Work Environment
From my experience in various schools, I have observed that teachers who feel supported, respected, and valued are more likely to remain committed to their roles. A collaborative environment that fosters mentorship and emotional well-being significantly boosts teacher satisfaction and productivity.
On the above premise, school leaders must prioritize teacher well-being by ensuring manageable workloads, providing access to mental health resources, and cultivating a culture of appreciation. Leadership in schools, it is vital for us to establish a welcoming atmosphere where our teachers feel safe, heard, and motivated. When teachers encounter indifferent or unsupportive leadership, their enthusiasm tends to wane.
As John Dewey aptly stated, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” For teachers to see teaching as a lifelong commitment, their work environment must nurture growth, creativity, and a sense of purpose.
2. Investing in Professional Growth
Career advancement opportunities are vital in retaining teachers. Many educators leave not out of disdain for teaching but because they perceive a lack of growth potential.
Access to regular, high-quality professional development is essential for teachers to refine their skills and stay current with Modern teaching methodologies. Furthermore, structured paths for career progression that offer opportunities for specialization, leadership roles, and contributions to policy development are necessary.
Educational institutions should promote teacher-led research, peer learning, and innovative pedagogical practices, creating an atmosphere where teachers feel intellectually engaged and empowered.
Horace Mann once remarked, “A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.” With this in mind, how can teachers inspire their students when they are lacking motivation due to stagnant career prospects? Investing in teachers’ professional development will ensure that, they remain enthusiastic, innovative, and effective in their roles.
3. Strengthening Union Participation
Teacher unions are essential. They advocate for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and policy enhancements. However, many teachers either do not engage in union activities or feel disconnected from them, diminishing their collective bargaining power and leaving them vulnerable to unfavourable policies.
Teachers should be encouraged to participate actively in union affairs, not just during salary negotiations but also in broader discussions about educational policy.
Unions, for their part, must strive to be proactive and responsive to their members’ needs, addressing issues beyond salary, including professional growth, teacher welfare, and job security.As an indisputable fact, a strong, organized teacher union amplifies the voices of educators in decision-making processes, resulting in policies that foster long-term retention and job satisfaction.
As Malala Yousafzai reminds us, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” By empowering teachers through active union engagement, we enable them to advocate for meaningful changes that can transform education.
CONCLUSION
To create a sustainable future for education, we must prioritize valuing and supporting our teachers. Governments must implement teacher-friendly policies, ensure competitive salaries, and invest in ongoing professional development. School leaders must cultivate environments that empower, respect, and motivate teachers.
To my fellow educators, let us commit to lifelong learning, engage actively in union discussions, and advocate for the changes we wish to see. When teachers succeed, students flourish, and society benefits as a whole.
The future of education hinges on the choices we make today. By attracting and retaining passionate, well-supported teachers, we can enhance educational quality and secure a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.