The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is calling for an incentive package for teachers in second-cycle schools for additional duties in managing Covid-19.

Ashanti Regional Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, acknowledges teachers are complementing health workers in caring for students.

He said any form of motivation in recognition of their work would be in order.

"We need to motivate the school authorities. Actually it's an extra job that they are doing. All that I will plead is that it's just like the health workers. They also have a lot of responsibilities. We can also motivate them," he said.

Dr Tinkorang’s call comes as government wards off public pressure to close down senior high schools over Covid-19 infections.

According to the Ghana Health Services, 111 students in 34 schools out of 400,000 on various campuses, have tested positive.

"Of the more than 400,000 students who have gone back to school, we are recording 110,111 cases; sporadic cases across the country from 34 schools so I don't think there's enough fear for us to rush into anything," said the Director-General of the Service Dr Patrick Aboagye.

Second-cycle institutions across the country have instituted Covid-19 boards to manage Coronavirus cases.

Dr Tinkorang says teachers have had to contend with heavier work schedules for which they deserve attention.

"It's a lot of work. The teachers there are doing a lot. Sometimes we don't understand them but I'm close to them so I know what they are doing. It's a lot of work and sincerely, a lot of people are working."

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Second Cycle Schools welcomed the call.

Rev Fr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere, the Ashanti Regional President of CHASS said, "Please do[motivate us]. Why not? We love it."