POTAG says it is opposed to any attempt abolish of Book & Research Allowance

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover The Polytechnic Teachers’ Association of Ghana (POTAG) has stated that it will resist any attempt by government to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. POTAG in a press statement copied to Daily Graphic and signed by Mr Oswald Atiga, General Secretary go POTAG at the end of its 20th National Delegates Congress held in Kumasi, stressed that the Book and Research Allowance was negotiated for by POTAG and so forms part of its conditions of service. The statement said Indeed it is POTAG`S view that this particular allowance even needs an upwards adjustment considering the current economic state of the country. "POTAG will apply all means necessary to maintain and keep what it has so bargained and negotiated for, " POTAG said They further said in POTAG’s conditions of service, promotion of senior members or lecturers is based on research and publication. Also for higher academic institutions of learning to be vibrant playing their critical role of contributing to teaching, research and enhancement of knowledge and skill; lecturers must be able to acquire current literature and practical materials related to their fields of endeavour in order to compete appropriately in this advanced technological world. Quoting from the Labour Act, POTAG said "employers are to promote conducive working environment together with the appropriate and relevant tools that make working productive and enhance performance. Therefore the employer cannot take away or suspend the tool and yet expect high levels of performance and productivity from its employees." The statement vehemently denied information circulating in the media to the effect that POTAG has agreed to the implementation of this policy. "POTAG wishes to state clearly that nowhere have we discussed this matter with government or with any other stakeholder" It went on to state that no centralized program/scheme of any kind has worked properly in this country before and so they (POTAG) will not accept any attempt to centralize this allowance. "The question we want to pose is; How easily accessible is this allowance in its current state that the ministry now thinks centralization is the answer?" the statement asked The statement concluded by stressing that thy will jealously and vehemently guard whatever is negotiated and duly captured in its conditions of service Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Education, in-charge of Tertiary Education was recently reported as announcing that government is to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. In its place, the Deputy Minister said government is considering merging all the research allowances into one to be known as, the “National Research Fund” where funds spent government spends yearly as book and research allowance would be incorporated into the fund, for which lecturers or students would have to present research proposals for approval, before disbursement. -end- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh