CDS appeals to NAGRAT to review stand

Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - Lieutenant General Joseph Boateng Danquah, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), on Tuesday appealed to members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to call off their month-old strike and return to the classrooms in order not to sabotage the future of the youth. He said by their current action, they were toying with the future of a whole generation of children.

"While fighting for your rights, you should not infringe on the rights of children.

"Besides, their stand affects the unity, integrity and security of the country=94, the CDS told the GNA.

The CDS said in as much as he shared their concerns for better conditions of service they should bury their differences with the authorities for the issue to be resolved.

He said whatever their grievances were, they chose to be teachers, and they should accept the challenges of being teachers.

"In the name of God, I appeal to them to bury their differences and go back to the classroom while at the same time negotiating with

"I share their (NAGRAT) concerns but they should go through that pain to ensure that the future of our children is not destroyed," the CDS said.

"I am speaking as a Ghanaian, a concerned parent and CDS because I have men and women under me, who have wards in schools, and this action does not auger well for them. They should listen to our plea", he said

Lt. Gen. Danquah said they were not wrong in seeking better conditions of service, but they should do this through the right procedure so that at the end of the day there would be a peaceful settlement of the problem.

"We have to make the country what we want it to be, and this is through hard work. Enough is enough. They should allow GNAT to fight for their cause and go back to classrooms,=94 he said.