Teachers are the backbone of socio-economic development – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday described teachers as the backbone of Ghana’s economic and social progress, saying their invaluable contribution contributes to the success of education reforms in Ghana.

He said teachers are important partners in the implementation of the government’s flagship program for free high school, which aims to give every Ghanaian child a quality education as a powerful agent of change, social stability and long-term engine of economic growth.

The president said this when he met with leaders of the Ghana National Teachers Association (GNAT) at Jubilee House, Accra.

The leadership of the Association was in the Presidency to officially congratulate the President on his re-election and to inform him of the activities planned for the celebration of the 90th anniversary of GNAT, which was launched last March.

They also filed a number of claims for redress.

President Akufo-Addo thanked the Association for its support in the implementation of the free SHS policy and congratulated the teachers for their contribution to the development of human resources in Ghana.

He praised GNAT’s leadership in the acquisition by the Association of the Sweden-Ghana Medical Center in Ashalley Botwe in the Municipality of Adentan, for the treatment of its members with cancer as well as members of the general public.

The association, which said it intended to modernize the medical center with additional facilities and equipment, asked the president for a tax exemption on the importation of the equipment.

The president called GNAT’s decision to acquire the Sweden-Ghana medical center “a big decision” and pledged to activate the equipment tax exemption process.

He urged Parliament to also grant his wish to the Association since the equipment would be used to save lives.

Ms. Phillipa Larson, National President of GNAT, who led the delegation, also called on the government to help the Association complete the road leading to the site they had acquired in Abankro, near Ejisu in the Ashanti region, to establish the Institute for Research and Studies in Industrial Relations (IRIRS).