By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Aug 31, GNA – The Central Region branch of the Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a call on members to remain united in seeking the welfare and progress of all teachers.
The occasion coincided with the commissioning of its Regional Office by Mr Waxy Balukia Mukaila, the Regional Internal Auditor, who represented Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister.
The two-story structure features a conference hall with a seating capacity of 200, five executive offices, two storage rooms, and a restroom.
Mr Emmanuel Essuman, the Regional Director of Education, said for a quarter of a century, the Association had been the steadfast guardian of teachers’ rights and a beacon of unity, advocacy for the betterment of all teachers regardless of their status.
“Today, we stand as united people with one voice. We are the custodians of knowledge, the beacons of enlightenment, and the catalysts for transformative change.
“It is time for us to reclaim our rightful place, to demand the respect and recognition that we deserve, and to shape the future of education in Ghana,” he said.
Speaking on the theme: “The Emergence of NAGRAT; the Beginning of Empowerment, Inspiring and Liberating the Ghanaian graduate teacher,” he called on teachers to be empowered, embrace their inherent worth, invaluable expertise, and power to influence the lives of the young minds entrusted to our care”.
He said teachers, should draw strength from the legacy of their predecessors who fought tirelessly to secure their rights and elevated the profession.
“Let their unwavering spirit ignite the flame within us, fuelling our determination to create a brighter, more equitable future for all,” and urged them to be agents of change and the unshakable pillars upon which the future of the nation stood.
Torching on best practices in the teaching field, he urged the fraternity to “break free from the shackles of archaic systems, outdated mindsets and the limitations that long constrained our growth.”
“Let us be the architects of a new educational paradigm, one that celebrates innovation, fosters creativity and empowers the youth of Ghana to reach their full potential.”
Mr Essuman said together teachers would write a new chapter in the annals of Ghanaian education, one that inspired generations to come.
“Let our voices echo through the halls of power and let our unwavering commitment to the betterment of our profession be the guiding light that illuminates the way forward.
“Our attention should not only be on our condition of service, we should also explain the GES Policies as well as the code of conduct to members to prevent them from troubles,” he said.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Regional Minister in a statement read on her behalf reiterated government’s commitment to promoting quality teacher education in the country to make it more relevant and beneficial to society.
She said no nation could develop without paying attention to education, adding that it was a weapon for development.
Madam Salamatu Gausu, the Regional Chairperson of NAGRAT, commended leadership and members for sustaining the Association for the past 25 years.
She said NAGRAT had been at the forefront of empowering the Ghanaian teacher through its interventions, including making the voice of the region heard in decision-making.
The construction of the Regional Secretariat, organising online promotional remedial workshops for members due for promotion and empowering members with income generating skills are some of its activities.
As part of the anniversary, she said series of programmes were held in some selected zones to bring the administration of NAGRAT to the doorstep of all teachers.
They included open forum and socialisation, liquid soap preparation and member portal update.
GNA