A teacher at work
The Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) has restored the allowances of teacher trainees in the country in fulfillment of the electoral campaign promise.
The allowances were cancelled by the previous John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, citing challenges with the country’s economy.
The previous Mahama administration in effect cancelled allowances enjoyed by both trainee teachers and trainee nurses, among others.
Then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP promised to, among others, restore teacher and nursing trainee allowances if given the opportunity to lead the nation in the 2016 general elections.
True to his word, the President, in his first budget, announced the restoration of the allowances (GH¢400 per student every month) to the delight of the students.
At a colourful ceremony to mark the restoration of the allowances at the Accra College of Education, otherwise known as the Accra Teacher Training College (ATRACO) at Madina, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, reiterated the NPP government’s commitment to providing quality education to all Ghanaians.
“This is another promise fulfilled. We have also restored nursing trainee allowances, as promised. We promised to reduce electricity tariffs, and we have done it. In the face of all the economic challenges, we still went ahead and introduced free Senior High School education. We have had one year and three months of fulfilled promises.
“This is possible because we have prioritised education. We need a skilled workforce to transform this nation, and it can only be achieved with quality, enhanced education.
“We will continue to invest a chunk of the nation’s resources to ensure we achieve the transformation of Ghana in all spheres,” he said.
The announcement was greeted with a thunderous applause from the exciting crowd that had gathered in the Assembly hall of the school.
Elated members of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) expressed their heartfelt appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise to restore their allowances.
A citation received by Dr Bawumia on behalf of the President read “The Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) expresses its profound gratitude for your immense contributions to the betterment of teacher education in Colleges of Education across the country, especially the restoration of the Teacher Trainees’ Allowance.
“In view of this, we present this citation to you and your government as a token of gratitude for prioritizing education as a major tool which will enhance quality education in general.
“Generations will remember you for your effective role in quality teacher education. May God bless you.”
The Vice President, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, thanked the students for the honour done him and promised to do more to improve the standard of education in the country.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent