GNAT Appeals for Government Backing on Teacher Housing project.

GNAT seeks government support for affordable teacher housing project.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the government to allocate land for affordable housing for teachers across the country and to appoint a presidential liaison to handle their concerns quickly and help prevent strikes.

At a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on June 11, 2025, GNAT’s consultant, Mr. Kwame Pianim, presented the association’s proposals. He highlighted that the union’s Teachers Fund, which has grown to approximately GH¢4 billion, could have achieved nearly US$2 billion in value if the economy had been more stable.

Mr. Pianim explained that members contribute GH¢100 monthly to sustain the fund, which has financed significant ventures such as the GNAT Heights housing project in Accra and offers soft loans to members. "With government-provided land, we can construct housing for teachers across districts, allowing them to retire with security and dignity," he stated, describing GNAT as a leading force among labor unions.

In addition, GNAT recommended the establishment of a dedicated liaison office at the Presidency to address teachers’ concerns directly, a move the association believes would enhance stability within the education sector by preempting strikes and fostering timely interventions.

Detailing GNAT’s financial footprint, Mr. Pianim, who also chairs the Teachers Fund Investment Committee, outlined the union’s diversified investment portfolio, which includes ownership in Teachers Fund Properties, Tier Financial Services, Credit Mall, Unique Insurance, and Aviance ground handling services. "Beyond teacher support, our investments also empower small businesses through Tier Financial Services and extend into banking institutions such as Ecobank, SG-SSB, GCB, and UBA," he added.

So far, the Teachers Fund has provided GH¢2.5 billion in low-interest loans to its members, with ample capacity to expand its housing agenda if additional land resources become available.

However, Mr. Pianim raised concerns over a 3% third-party levy imposed on payroll deductions, which drains nearly GH¢40 million from the fund annually. He urged the government to reconsider this policy to enable GNAT to channel more resources into projects that directly benefit teachers.

GNAT’s General Secretary, Mr. Thomas Tanko Musa, also emphasized the union’s commitment to members' health, revealing that a medical support scheme, funded by GH¢5 monthly contributions from each teacher, now generates about GH¢1.4 million monthly to provide financial aid for critical illnesses such as cancer.

Echoing the union’s dedication, GNAT National Treasurer, Mr. Ransford Nsiah Lolih, assured the government of the association’s continuous efforts to maintain stability in the education sector while contributing to national development efforts.