The Ghana National Association of Teachers Ladies Society (GNAT-LAS) in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region has urged the government to extend the current 12-week paid maternity leave for public sector nursing mothers to a minimum of six months.
This call aims to address the pressing needs of nursing mothers, particularly teachers, who require ample time to bond with their newborns and adequately prepare to return to their teaching responsibilities.
The appeal was made by Catherine Asaam, the outgoing GNAT-LAS District Coordinator and Headteacher of Brafoyaw AME Zion ‘B’ Basic School, during the 7th Quadrennial GNAT-LAS District Roundtable held in Abura Dunkwa on Tuesday, May 12, 2025. Asaam highlighted that extending the maternity leave is in line with health experts’ recommendations advocating for six months of exclusive breastfeeding, emphasizing the benefits for both mothers and their children.
“Our request is rooted in both maternal and child health concerns, and the practical challenges female teachers face after childbirth,” Asaam stated. She underscored that a longer leave would not only benefit mothers physically and emotionally but would also enable them to transition back to work more effectively when they return to the classroom.
The event, themed “The Ghana Education Service @50: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward in Motivating the Female Teacher for Quality Education Delivery,” attracted numerous dignitaries, including the District Chief Executive, Ms. Henrietta Baah; the Regional GNAT-LAS Coordinator; and Regional GNAT Chairman, Engineer Dr. Wilberforce Eshun.
District Chief Executive for AAK, Mr. Daniel Mensah Wardy, acknowledged the appeal and noted that the governing NDC has already proposed a four-month maternity leave extension in its 2024 manifesto. He promised to bring the GNAT-LAS request to the attention of party leadership for further consideration.
The gathering also featured remarks from guest speaker Mrs. Henrietta Ghartey Paintsil, Central Regional Manageress of the AME Zion Educational Unit, who stressed the integral role of female teachers in national development. “Empowering the female teacher is key to empowering students and building the nation,” she declared, noting the significant contributions of women educators in ensuring basic education is accessible to all Ghanaian children.
The event showcased an exhibition by all six GNAT-LAS locals in the district, a Miss GNAT-LAS beauty contest, and elections for new district executives, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrated the achievements and contributions of female teachers in the community.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
