John Mahama, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to provide a 20 per cent allowance to motivate teachers who accept rural postings.
According to him, the initiative will encourage and motivate teachers to accept postings in remote or rural areas.
In a live Facebook address, Mahama said, “Teachers who agree to serve in a rural school will be paid 20 per cent of their salary as incentives. This will encourage teachers to accept postings in rural schools”.
Recently, some teachers in the Volta Region marched through the streets of Ho to highlight their concerns to stakeholders.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) staged the demonstration.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Teachers are not beggars,” “We also deserve our allowances as teachers,” “Treat teachers with decency,” and “Our take-home can’t take us home”.
The teachers hope to receive their monthly allowances and other incentives from the government.
Meanwhile, the three teacher unions are yet to respond to the pledge of the NDC flagbearer.
Another controversial promise John Dramani Mahama made recently was the decision to discontinue the payment of utility bills, such as electricity, water, waste management, gas, and internet, for government officials when he gets the nod to lead the nation once again.
He also assured that payment of DSTV subscriptions and free fuel for all prominent government officials would be a thing of the past under his administration.
In an interaction with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, Mr Mahama outlined cost-saving measures his government would implement, including reducing incentives for government officials.
He added that only government vehicles purposely used for official duties would be eligible for fuel provided by the state.
“We will discontinue the payment of utility bills, fuel, and DSTV as conditions of service for top government officials, directors and the political class. We believe that people should take up paying their own electricity bills and water like every other Ghanaian does.
“Unless you are using a government vehicle on a government assignment, you should buy your own fuel if you are using your own car. So, we are going to discontinue them. Our budget will be to support small businesses and use tax as incentives for job creation,” he said.