The Member of Parliament for Asokwa and former Kumasi mayor, Maxwell Kofi Jumah has ridiculed the government for implementing a '419 Single Spine Salary Structure.' Teachers had nursed high expectations of an improved salaries since being told they had finally been migrated onto the new pay policy, but their hopes filtered into thin air after receiving what they describe as demoralizing increments and in some instances a slash. They claim their present circumstance is a far cry from lofty promises by the Fair Wages and Salary Commission and the Ghana National Association of Teachers. They have since the beginning of the month been embarking on pockets of protests. On Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, the Asokwa MP said there is no money in government coffers for the smooth implementation of the scheme. He added that cheques issued by the government bounces, indicating how bankrupt the Mills-led government has become hence the anomalies being experienced by teachers who migrated onto the SSSS just last month. Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a panelist on the programme, blamed the government for defying the technicalities associated with the implementation of the SSSS and rather raising the hopes of the teachers high with the assurance of a salary increase just to score political points. “People are taking advantage of you and so you should understand. This is a political matter and the NDC has messed you up”, he told teachers. Meanwhile, the Editor of the Al Hajj newspaper, Alhaji Bature, also a panelist on the programme appealed to the teachers to allow industrial peace to prevail. He was however optimistic that through dialogue between the Education Ministry and the teachers, the issue would be resolved. Story by: Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana