HOW TO MANEUVER THE TEACHER UNIONS IN GHANA, since they consider themselves more as financial institutions than teacher unions
Teaser: Do you know you can contribute 5GHC dues and enjoy all the benefits (loans, cancer fund, tier 3 provident fund, heritage fund) that GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG offer? How?
Agreed all unions are the same. So how do we maneuver them?
Currently, in Ghana, there are 5 teacher unions in Ghana. Below are their names and the amount they charge as dues and others.
1. GNAT – GH¢32.84 dues, GH¢2 cancer fund, and GH¢50 or above mutual fund. [Total= GH¢84.84]
2. CCT – GH¢20 dues and GH¢20 mutual fund. [Total=GH¢40 ]
3. NAGRAT – GH¢33.86 dues and GH¢50 or above mutual funds. [ Total=GH¢
83.86 ]
4. ATAG – GH¢15 dues and GH¢25 and above mutual fund. [Total=40]
5. INNOVATIVE TEACHERS – GH¢5 dues only. [No other contributions]
Firstly, why are we in GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG but not in INNOVATIVE?
The answer is in the contributions.
a. In the case of GNAT alone,
(i). Some are in GNAT because of the cancer fund. INNOVATIVE does not have a cancer fund
(ii). Some are in GNAT because of Heritage dues (a.k.a MiLife insurance). INNOVATIVE does not have
(iii). Some are in GNAT because of GNAT PROVIDENT Fund (Tier 3 pension deductions before tax). INNOVATIVE does not have
b. Some are in GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG because of the mutual fund contributions/loans. INNOVATIVE does not have
c. Some are in GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG because of mutual fund contributions as investments. INNOVATIVE does not have
How to Maneuver teacher unions in Ghana – Top hints for smart teachers
So,
1. For those who wish to enjoy all the benefits in GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG, how can you maneuver these unions to pay the minimum contributions but enjoy the maximum benefits from them. That is loans, cancer fund, mutual fund, tier 3 provident fund, heritage fund (MiLife)?
ANS:
Switching to INNOVATIVE with 5GHC dues offers all the benefits being in other unions offer. How?
When you change the association
(i). All deductions by your old union stops except only the loan deductions. Meaning membership dues, cancer dues, mutual fund contributions itself🤓 all stop. Only LOAN deduction can continue.
(ii). For only GNAT members, Heritage fund (MiLife insurance) and Provident Fund continue unless you go fill a form with them stop it. With these two you can even stop it without leaving GNAT. But remember all the good reasons you thought of before joining them
2. Now how do you enjoy all the benefits even after exiting those associations (GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG)
ANS:
Step (i).
Take a loan from GNAT/NAGRAT/CCT/ATAG and exit to join INNOVATIVE to pay only 5ghc dues and all deductions by former union stops
Step (ii).
When the plenty deductions including mutual fund contributions by former union stop, you will gain an AFFORDABILITY.
Lock that affordability into institutions that deduct from source.
a. Into tier 3 pension scheme which is deducted before tax by united pension trustees (any union member can join them. It’s now called teachers provident fund) or
b. Into investment companies like DATABANK MFund.
c. Loans (multiple loans are very bad anyway unless is physical/capital expenditure)
Step (iii)
After locking your new affordability into institutions that deduct from source,
a. you can remain with the INNOVATIVE till your loan is about end in terms of repayment then you go back to take more loans.
Step (iv)
Since you need to be in GNAT for about a minimum of six months to benefit from the cancer fund, it means the cancer fund is for all teachers in Ghana. You can be in any union and the moment you sense cancer danger in your nuclear family, quickly join GNAT. The only obligation is to visit the hospital regularly for cancer screening.
3. For those who wish not to Join any union at all for various reasons, what can you do since everyone must belong to a workplace union according to the labour act?
ANS: The only option available to you is to join INNOVATIVE with a 5GHC maximum deduction.
Caution: do not apply to collect your accumulated mutual fund contributions from them when you exit because you will need a minimum contribution to qualify for the loan amount when you return.
READ: GNAT’s 7th Dec 2021 Press Conference is meaningless
We hope this article Vincent Agbenyo (A volunteer) on How to Maneuver teacher unions in Ghana -has been an eye-opener. NB: The moment INNOVATIVE increases their dues and/or other unions introduce clauses to deal with some of the loopholes teachers must explore, teachers will adjust accordingly.
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