National Executives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), on Thursday responded to accusations leveled against them by the Coalition of Concerned Teachers. Mr Paul Apanga, National President of GNAT, addressing the media in Accra, assured its membership that the leadership would remain committed to their interests and welfare and towards quality public education, especially for vulnerable parties such as the girl-child. He said it was unfortunate that the leadership of the Concerned Teachers had decided to overlook the numerous achievements of the Association but resolved to peddling false allegations of corruption and poor leadership against the national leaders with the intention of destroying the Association. Mr Apanga explained that national executives of GNAT were compelled as required by Articles 26 (5)(C) and (d) of the association’s constitution at a meeting held on July 5, 2011 to expel the leadership of the concerned teachers. He reiterated that GNAT would no longer entertain the Concerned Teachers as a component of its total membership and would no longer provide the requisite services union members enjoy. Mr Apanga said: “They are therefore advised to stay clear of any GNAT premises when organizing their campaigns and any fall-out from their agitations would not be the responsibility of the leadership and entire body of the GNAT as an Association of teachers”. He cited the continual use of unorthodox means by the group in addressing some of their concerns on the Single Spine Salary Structure as part of reasons for their expulsion. Mr Apanga said this amounted to a violation of the directive given to GNAT executives by the National Labour Commission to address all issues within the structures of the Association. He advised all well-meaning members of the Association to be wary of the lies and unsubstantiated allegations leveled against the national leadership of GNAT through various mediums. Mr Apanga explained that the Association operated all local, district and national accounts with openness and transparency and were externally audited by staff from the Auditor General’s Department, while these accounts were also presented to the Executive and Council and also the annual delegates conferences of GNAT. He described the allegations that members of the national leadership were bribed to negotiate peanuts for its membership as malicious and were aimed at making the leadership unpopular. Source:GNA