The leadership of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers are urging their striking members to sustain the action until the government responds more positively to their demands for better pay. The Coalition of Concerned Teachers has consequently rejected the 15 percent retention premium announced by the government as part of efforts to address agitations emanating from the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Policy. The over 5,000 teachers from across the country who met in Kumasi say they will stay away from the classroom until the government offers interventions to improve the poor service conditions of teachers. Speakers at the forum dubbed "destiny struggle rally" stated that no amount of government intimidation would force them to return to the classroom. The 5,000-capacity GNAT Hall in Kumasi was filled to capacity as some of the agitating teachers stood outside the hall to listen to their leaders. The atmosphere was charged with solidarity messages from teachers from other parts of the country. A representative of the coalition from the Greater Accra region, BDK Elikem emphasized that the group will not bow to any intimidation by the government. He charged the teachers to lay down their lives for better conditions of service. "Someone must shed his blood for this group" he said. The coalition accuses the government of having a grand plan to further impoverish teachers in the country. Describing the 15 percent retention premium as woefully inadequate, the coalition warned it will not stop agitating until government responds to their calls for improved conditions of service.