A member of the Upper East Regional Communications Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Samuel Akonga, has taken a swipe at the government over what he describes as the unacceptable delay in the payment of the Professional Development Allowance (PDA) and the Digital Allowance owed to teachers nationwide.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Akonga expressed “profound despondency” at the government’s failure to honour what he says are legitimate entitlements of teachers, stressing that the delay reflects a lack of appreciation for the critical role educators play in shaping the country’s future.
According to him, the allowances, introduced under the previous NPP administration, were designed to empower teachers with the tools, skills and digital resources required to enhance learning outcomes and modernise classroom delivery. He accused the current government of allowing arrears to accumulate “without any valid justification.”
“It is increasingly clear that the government is short-changing teachers in an attempt to artificially control inflation, a move that is both unfortunate and unfair,” he argued, adding that teachers should not be made to “pay the price for the government’s economic management challenges.”
Dr. Akonga said the delays were demoralising, especially at a time when teachers were already overburdened with limited resources, increased classroom sizes and growing expectations for digital literacy.
“This behaviour reflects a deep lack of respect for the hardworking men and women who shape the nation’s future,” he noted. “Withholding their rightful allowances is unacceptable.”
He assured teacher unions and the education community that a future NPP government would prioritise teacher welfare by fully paying outstanding arrears and improving existing incentives to boost morale and teaching quality.
“The NPP remains the only party with a clear record of enhancing professional development and increasing remuneration for teachers,” he asserted. “Teachers deserve dignity, timely allowances, and a government that respects their service—not one that sidelines them for economic convenience.”
The statement adds to the growing public concerns over delays in key education-related payments, an issue teacher unions have consistently flagged in recent months.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
