GNAT Approves 100% Increase in Cancer Fund Levy After Secret Ballot at Delegates Conference

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | January 07 | GNAT Approves 100% Increase in Cancer Fund Levy After Secret Ballot at Delegates Conference

GNAT delegates approve a 100% increase in the Cancer Fund levy from GH¢5 to GH¢10 after a secret vote at the 54th National Delegates Conference in Accra, alongside confirmation of a 9% salary increment.

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A Decisive Vote at GNAT Congress

Delegates of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) have approved a 100 per cent increase in the Association’s Cancer Fund levy, raising contributions from GH¢5.00 to GH¢10.00.The decision followed a secret ballot conducted during the 54th National Delegates Conference of GNAT, held at the UPSA Auditorium in Accra on Monday, January 5, 2026.

How Delegates Voted

The proposal was subjected to a competitive vote between two increment options, reflecting differing views on the financial burden teachers should bear.Results of the secret ballot:

• GH¢10.00 increment: 358 votes
• GH¢20.00 increment: 263 votes
• Rejected options: 7 votes

With a clear majority, the GH¢10.00 option was approved, officially doubling the Cancer Fund contribution.

Why the Cancer Fund Matters

The GNAT Cancer Fund provides financial support to teachers battling cancer, helping to offset treatment and related medical costs. Union leaders said rising healthcare expenses made the increase unavoidable, even amid broader cost-of-living pressures.Delegates acknowledged the difficulty of approving higher deductions but described the decision as an act of solidarity within the profession.

Salary Increment Also Confirmed

In addition to the Cancer Fund decision, GNAT announced that teachers will receive a 9 percent salary increment, offering some financial relief as deductions rise.Union officials said the increment, though modest, reflects ongoing negotiations within the public sector pay framework.

Balancing Welfare and Affordability

The debate around GH¢10 versus GH¢20 revealed underlying tensions between compassion and affordability. While some delegates argued for a higher contribution to strengthen the fund, others cautioned against placing additional strain on already stretched teacher incomes.The final vote suggests delegates opted for a middle path, strengthening welfare support without imposing what many considered an excessive deduction.

What Happens Next

GNAT leadership is expected to:

• Update contribution structures nationwide
• Strengthen governance and transparency around the Cancer Fund
• Provide regular reporting on how funds are disbursed to beneficiaries

The Association says the decision reinforces its commitment to collective welfare, even as it continues negotiations with government on salaries, pensions, and conditions of service.

A Conference Shaping Teacher Welfare

From housing commitments to safety concerns and now healthcare support, the 54th GNAT Delegates Conference has emerged as a key moment in redefining teacher welfare priorities in Ghana.For many teachers, the Cancer Fund vote underscored a simple reality: when the system falls short, the profession often has to protect its own.

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