As well known, the Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT is the mother and largest association within the teaching fraternity in the country. It is however not only the largest but also the oldest in history and has been in existence since the year 1935. Its membership comprises of teachers in pre-tertiary schools across the country. The association currently has over 200, 000 members.
Background
The Teachers Fund is a retirement supplement and solidarity scheme for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) established by a Trust Deed in May 1998. The Fund started with a monthly deduction of GHC0.10 (¢1.000) as basic contributions from the salary of GNAT members through a check-off system.
The basic contribution was increased to GH₵ 0.50 (₵5,000.00) in February 2002 and GH₵2.50 (₵25,000.00) in October 2004. In February 2008, the basic contribution was further increased to GH₵5.00 and then to GH₵10.00 in January 2011. Effective March 2014, the basic contribution was GH₵20.00 and in January 2015 it was increased to GHC30.00. In February 2017, the basic contribution was further reviewed upwards to GHC50.00 with effect from February 2017.
The assets of the Fund have grown from just about GHC 1.50 million in May 1998 to GHC 745 million, as at December 2016 represented by investments in treasury bills, listed equities, private placements, loans and facilities to members, real estate projects and subsidiaries. The Fund has its largest investment in loans to its members.
The tremendous growth in assets is largely attributed to the commitment on the part of members (teachers) to invest towards their retirement and the Fund’s commitment to ensuring good returns on investment.
-Objectives of The Fund
1. Retirement supplement – the monthly contributions are savings for the members. These are invested to generate returns. Upon retirement, a member receives a package made up of the total amount he has contributed over the years and the returns thereon.
2. Provision of lifestyle enhancing facilities – the Fund offers four categories of loan to its members with the view to enhancing their lifestyles and ensuring that they live comfortably. These are Personal Loan, Investment Capital Loan, Habitat Loan and Vehicle Loan.
3. Access to credit purchases from Credit Mall Limited – the Fund has established the Credit Mall Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary to sell household consumer items to members on credit.
4. To engage in Real Estate Ventures – the FUND seeks to address the accommodation needs of members by providing housing and accommodation facilities to interested members. It is also involved in the construction and rental of hostel facilities and office accommodation.
It is noteworthy that every initiative or activity carried out by the FUND is expected to fulfil its primary objective (i.e. objective 1) which involves providing contributors with a retirement supplement package.
In line with this, the loans and facilities offered to contributors, the operations of Credit Mall Limited and the Real Estate Venture are expected to generate profits which are distributed to members as returns on their investments.
-Access to Loan Facilities
There are four main loan facilities which members can access for their financial needs.
Personal Loan
This loan facility has been designed to assist members meet their short-term financial obligations such as payment of School fees, rent advance and any other general repairs at home.
-Habitat Loan
This facility has been put together to support a greater number of GNAT members who desire to solve their accommodation challenges or aspire to build their homes before they retire from active service.
-Investment Loan
More often than not, members of the Fund have business ideas for which they need funds to finance. The Investment Capital Loan facility has been designed for this purpose.
-Vehicle Loan
This facility is meant to finance the purchase of vehicles by loan applicants. It is the only loan facility at the Fund that cheques are not written in the name of the applicant rather it is in the name of the vehicle vendor.
The Fund Secretariat is set up separately to implement the Board’s policies and decisions. The Fund Secretariat is headed by a Fund Administrator who is appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Fund Administrator reports directly, at regular intervals, to the Board and is supported by a team of professional staff who collectively liaise with the Board of Trustees and members of the Fund.
Updates On Members' Contribution Statement
Kindly Check GNAT Statement Below;
In light of the above, the Fund managers has given notice to all contributors and members, that their 2021 Annual Member Contribution Statement has been uploaded onto their CRM portal for them to check and download.
Also, members can request for their statements via the fund's USSD platforms using the short code *800#. However, members who have not registered on the CRM and USSD platforms can visit or contact their District GNAT secretaries for their unique codes to enable them register.
Please check GNAT's full statement to all members on https://frencheducationgh.com/teachers-fund-gnat-gives-important-notice-to-all-members-on-2021-annual-statement/
By Nukegbe (Self Media Writer)