We agree to support GNACOPS for the good work done on our behalf- Proprietors

Private Schools Owners across the country, clear the air on the purported GNACOPS’ charge on expected stimulus package loan.

On Wednesday 9th September, 2020, a cross section of School Owners/Directors and Administrators across the country presented a *Letter of Clarification* to NBSSI through it’s Executive Director, following the recent media outburst on a purported 4% charge by GNACOPS.

The letter which was accompanied by hardcopies of stamped signature endorsements from close to 500 schools across Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Ahafo among other regions, was submitted to the Director’s Secretariat in her absence.

The letter stated emphatically that, they agreed internally to support the Council’s activities towards helping it’s members to benefit from the stimulus package and the general development of Private school sector, with the percentage.

The letter which was addressed to
The Executive Director, National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) read as follows;

“Dear Madam,
*LETTER OF CLARIFICATION AND REQUEST FOR LOAN*

We the undersigned are members of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools( GNACOPS), who are prime and associate members constitutionally registered with the Council.

*We would like to state unequivocally that the Executives of GNACOPS, never told us that the NBSSI is taking 3% of the loan being requested, rather, we the council members in general terms, agreed on a 4% voluntary contribution to support the council’s activities.*

We also want to state that some of us on some of our platforms were confused as to the 3% interest on the loan in relation to the 4% support for the council but this has been clarified and understood already.

We decided to offer the Council 4% of whatever we will receive as loans from NBSSI and the factors that influenced this decision included but not limited to the following:

• The initiative by the Council to appeal to the president our behalf to impress upon SSNIT, GRA our bankers to withhold the payment of our statutory obligations to SSNIT and GRA, and our loan repayments.

• It was the council that encouraged us to apply for the loan when our confidence in the CAP program was shaken

• Even before registration, our executives had moved across the length and breadth of the country to collect data from schools that were interested in the CAP Support Loan facility

• The Council had employed the services of data entry personnel who aided the capturing of the data and the application process for the loan.

• The council had planned a series of capacity building training programs to train and guide us in relation to the management of the funds for a stress-free repayment.

• The council had also planned a series of programs to come out with a blueprint for the safe reopening of schools. With all these efforts which come with costs in these difficult times, coupled with the fact that the Council is not a beneficiary of the CAP Loan, deemed it necessary to show our appreciation and support for their efforts in relation to what they have done and plan doing, *by contributing 4% of whatever we will receive to the Council, which was purely our internal association arrangement which had nothing to do with NBSSI.*
But looking at the issues arising from this agreement and the backlash from your outfit and a section of the general public, the executives and the council members have decided to rescind this decision.

The loan application was done by the individual schools with GNACOPS, our parent organization, facilitating on our behalf since we felt that act will expedite the actions of NBSSI in processing of our individual documents judging from the relatively large number of schools that applied for the loan through your office.

GNACOPS’ intervention, by introducing the schools to NBSSI for the stimulus package and helping with the initial processing of the required document, was a means of mitigating the hustle we the members would have gone through all by ourselves. ”

*The letter further had this appeal to NBSSI;*

“We humbly plead with your outfit to expedite the payment of the loans, now that most of us have received confirmatory messages from your outfit.

We had anticipated a prompt crediting to our accounts as soon as we received the confirmatory messages.

Schools are still closed and we are cash strapped for revenue to sustain our financial obligations. This loan will however be a big relief to us and will help us stay afloat till schools eventually re-open. It will also go a long way to support most of us with the online teaching and learning, as well as sustain our schools. Our schools must also be put in good shape to accommodate students as we anticipate the reopening of schools.

Your urgent response will be very much appreciated through our parent association.

Yours Faithfully,
School Owners and Registered Members of GNACOPS. ”

*Spokes Persons:*
Mrs. Ellen A. Nti, Proprietress – 024 433 6347

Mr. Francis Nyametumi Osei, Director – 055 647 4441

Mr. Patrick Appiah Danquah, Proprietor 024 466 0331 ”

The letter was copied to the GNACOPS Boss

*Cc.* The National Executive Director,
Ghana National Council of Private Schools ”

The question on everyone’s mind is;
*will the loan disbursement be made immediately to aliviate the sufferings of Private schools staff across the country, after the air has been cleared?*

We are all waiting to see the result.

Source; www.leakynews.net