The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has pledged its unwavering support for the Trades Union Congress (TUC)'s protest against the 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on residential electricity consumption.

The association emphasised its role as a key member of organised labour and therefore deemed it necessary to stand in solidarity with the cause.

In a statement addressed to all its members on Tuesday, February 6, GNAT instructed its regional secretariats to ensure active participation in the demonstration.

GNAT revealed that this resolution was reached during a meeting held on Friday, February 2, at the Trade Union Hall.

“GNAT as a prominent member of organised labour participated and agreed to the decision at the meeting to embark on a nationwide demonstration against the imposition of this insensitive tax.

“We are by this letter directing all our Regional Secretariats to join organised labour in their respective Regions in preparation towards this mammoth demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, 13th February 2024 at all the Regional capitals.”

Trades Union Congress (TUC) and 35 organised labour unions have announced that they will embark on a demonstration on February 13.

This follows the government's refusal to concede to their demand to withdraw the 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on electricity.

The TUC and 35 other labour unions argue that they are overburdened and therefore, this new VAT will worsen their plight.

Speaking at a crucial meeting on February 2 to discuss the next steps for labour after its ultimatum to the government to withdraw the tax expired at the end of the month, Dr. Yaw Baah said; “You see if we don’t fight this, tomorrow it will be on water, the next day it may be on the number of children that we will have. This is our duty, and we will do it and do it well until we win this battle.”

Dr Baah said this was a clarion call, and all citizens must join the Trades Union and other organised labour unions on the planned demonstration on February 13.