Chief appeals to NAGRAT to call of strike.

Kajebil (W/R) Sept.24,- GNA - A traditional ruler has added his voice to the appeal to members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to resume teaching and adopt dialogue with the government to address their concerns.

Nana Kwaku Darko, Chief of Kajebil in the Ahanta West district noted that the strike by NAGRAT members had resulted in untold hardships for innocent students and parents and having adverse effect on education in general.

He told the Ghana News Agency at Kajebil on Saturday that while it is generally accepted that remunerations and conditions of service of teachers and other workers were not the best, the problem couldn't be solved overnight.

While acknowledging the important role teachers play in national building, Nana Darko said dialogue in this matter should be the best way to find amicable solution to the problem.

He urged the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to find immediate solution to the impasse since the strike by NAGRAT members could undermine the sector if the action was allowed to continue. On the economic front, Nana Darko commended the Government for the introduction of the Micro Credit Loans Scheme and advised the implementation agencies to be transparent and fair in the disbursement of the loan.

A 50-million dollar Micro Finance Loan Scheme to be accessed by Small-Scale business entrepreneurs was launched by President Agyekum Kufuor recently.

"It is a laudable idea that offers hope to reduce poverty particularly among the rural poor, however its success would largely depend on the sincerity of the implementing agencies".

In order to make the scheme more beneficial to the people, particularly hard working but illiterate, Nana Darko suggested that forums should be organised to educate beneficiaries on the proper utilisation of such facilities to promote their businesses. He called on the Government to work hard to promote local governance in the country since it is the bedrock of democracy.

Nana Darko said the Government should team up with religious institutions and chiefs and other opinion leaders to discourage gay and lesbian practices that were gradually creeping into the society.

"These practices are alien and an abomination that should not be allowed to destroy the moral fibre of our society", he added.