MONROVIA — The President of the National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL), Madam Mary Nyumah, has revealed that she has dedicated most of her time to ensuring the smooth operation of the association. She emphasized the importance of listening to those one serves and being open to feedback to maintain effective leadership.
“As a public servant, you must listen and let others speak first. Those you serve should feel comfortable coming to you to discuss the state of the institution,” Madam Nyumah stated.
Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged that her tenure as NTAL President was challenging, especially due to the election period, which saw intense competition. “It was not an easy task to serve as President of NTAL, as the battle with the opposing side during the elections was one of the most challenging times I’ve ever experienced,” she shared.
She praised the collective efforts of the NTAL’s chapter heads and members across Liberia’s fifteen counties, along with its partners, for supporting the construction of the NTAL Headquarters on 12th Street in Sinkor, Monrovia. She described the new headquarters as a significant milestone under her leadership. The dedication event began on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, and will conclude on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
NTAL is also actively involved in initiatives to combat discrimination. The association recently participated in the West African Women in Education Network (WAWEN) Sub-Regional Gender Round Table discussion in Accra, Ghana. The event focused on addressing discrimination based on disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, political or trade union activism, religious affiliation, and socio-economic status. It also aligned with Education International’s efforts to combat discrimination and promote gender equality.
In an exclusive interview with The Liberian Investigator at the NTAL Headquarters, Madam Nyumah stated that under her leadership, NTAL prioritizes dialogue with relevant authorities to address issues facing teachers across Liberia, rather than resorting to protests. “We focus on dialogue to resolve challenges confronting teachers, rather than making matters worse by protesting on every street corner,” she said.
Madam Nyumah also called on the 55th National Legislature to set aside differences and work together for the nation’s progress. This statement comes amid recent efforts by a group of Representatives, who identify themselves as the “majority bloc,” to remove House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa. An ECOWAS delegation arrived in Liberia on Monday to mediate as Speaker Koffa refuses to step down.
The NTAL recently joined the West African Women in Education Network (WAWEN) in a Sub-Regional Gender Round Table discussion in Accra, Ghana. The discussion aimed to deepen female union leaders’ understanding of the 10th EI Africa Regional Conference recommendations on Gender Equality, along with the African Women in Education Network (AWEN) study on women’s participation and leadership.
In related developments, NTAL’s Secretary General, Mr. Dominic Suah, announced that the NTAL Council is set to meet in Monrovia this week for its final General Council Meeting of the year. The Council, which meets twice annually, last convened in June.
According to Mr. Suah, the upcoming meeting will address issues and developments surrounding NTAL, with a report to be submitted to the Secretariat. He emphasized that NTAL’s leadership is focused on the welfare of its members across Liberia and is committed to prioritizing initiatives that benefit the association and its members.
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