The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has praised former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings for her instrumental role in establishing early childhood education initiatives across the country during the 1990s.
Speaking at a recent event, GNAT General Secretary, Thomas Tanko Musah, highlighted the significant impact of Mrs. Rawlings’ efforts through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which helped set up crèches and pre-schools in rural communities.
“Our mother, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, ensured that the 31st December Women’s Movement helped in setting up crèches all over the country,” Musah said. “You will never truly appreciate this unless you critically analyze what she did.”
He urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to institute an initiative in remembrance of the former First Lady’s contributions to education and women’s empowerment.
“Children that were born in the early nineties — let us conduct a tracer study and see how they have grown. The lives of many rural folks improved because of her efforts,” he noted. “Today, because there is a gap, children are going into galamsey (illegal mining).”
Musah emphasized that Mrs. Rawlings’ initiatives helped prevent child labour and improved access to education in deprived areas.
“What she did in empowering those in rural areas cannot be overlooked. Instead of their children engaging in child labour or galamsey, the children came to school,” he stated.
The GNAT General Secretary also called on the GES to provide compensation to the family of a teacher who recently lost his life in Bawku, describing the loss as a “painful reminder of the challenges educators face.”
He concluded with a call for leadership and continuity in social development initiatives.
“I am looking for the day when we will have one individual who can champion this cause,” Musah said. “Why is our football collapsing? Is it not because we have not had someone to hold and champion that course? We are hoping that someone will come and continue this mission.”
