The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to Ghana's three teacher unions to consider calling off their nationwide strike. He assured them that the government will honour its commitments on outstanding issues affecting teachers. Mr Iddrisu said the government's immediate priority was to restore normal academic work in public schools, which has been disrupted by the industrial action.
Speaking to the media on Friday, October 2, after a meeting with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), Mr Iddrisu said the government had made commitments to address the unions' concerns. One of the key commitments relates to the payment of promotion arrears and the placement of promoted teachers on their new grades.
The government will ensure that all promoted teachers are placed on their new grades by October 30, 2026. Mr Iddrisu said the Controller and Accountant-General's Department was already validating data covering about 51,000 teachers to facilitate payments. A supplementary payment schedule will be prepared for those whose data have been validated, while others will receive the new grades and related payments through their October salaries.
The Minister gave an assurance that the government will not back down from its commitment. He appealed to the teacher unions to reciprocate the government's commitment by ending the industrial action. Mr Iddrisu said the government was also addressing the other concerns raised by the unions, including negotiations on their expired conditions of service and the proposed 20 per cent deprived-area allowance.
The unions began their nationwide strike on September 25, 2026, disrupting teaching and learning in public schools. The Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers, and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana are involved in the industrial action. The government and the unions are expected to continue engagements in the coming days as efforts continue to resolve the outstanding issues and restore normal academic activities.
Mr Iddrisu outlined a roadmap on teachers' strike, setting timelines for allowances and promotion arrears. He said a committee has been set up to validate teachers eligible for the 20 per cent deprived-area allowance. The Minister urged teachers to protect the school calendar while the government addresses their concerns.
Despite the government's efforts, some teacher unions have rejected the government's plea, vowing to stay home until salaries reflect on payslips. The Ghana Education Service has appealed to teachers to rescind their strike and return to class as efforts to resolve concerns intensify. The striking teacher unions are expected to meet with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on October 6.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has committed to paying promotion arrears to 51,000 teachers by October 30, 2026.
- The teacher unions began their nationwide strike on September 25, 2026, disrupting teaching and learning in public schools.
- The government has set up a committee to validate teachers eligible for the 20 per cent deprived-area allowance.
