Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education in Ghana, has made an appeal to striking pre-tertiary teachers to resume their duties. He emphasized that the government acknowledges the legitimacy of their demands and is committed to resolving issues related to promotions, salary adjustments, allowances, and working conditions. This appeal was made during the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony in Bolgatanga.
The strike by teachers is centered on several key issues, including the delay in implementing new salary scales and consequential allowances for nearly 80,000 teachers who have passed promotional examinations. Dr. Apaak explained that the delay is partly due to challenges in transferring relevant data from the Ghana Education Service (GES) to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department. The government had previously agreed to make promotions automatic and eliminate the need for teachers to submit certain documents before receiving their new salary scales and allowances.
According to Dr. Apaak, the government has agreed that affected teachers will receive new salaries and allowances retroactively from January 2026, regardless of when they wrote the promotional examinations. This decision aims to address the concerns of teachers who have been waiting for their promotions to be reflected in their pay. The Deputy Minister expressed hope that the teachers would consider the government's efforts and return to the classroom.
Another critical issue is the proposed 20 percent-plus salary incentive for teachers posted to rural, underserved, and deprived communities. Dr. Apaak mentioned that the government has assured teacher unions that the implementation of this policy will begin next year. However, the government is working to clearly define which communities qualify as rural, underserved, and deprived to ensure fair implementation.
The Deputy Minister revealed that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has been engaged to meet with the leadership of the teacher unions. Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama has directed a high-level meeting involving the Ministers of Finance, Labour Relations and Employment, Education, and the teacher unions to continue negotiations. This indicates a concerted effort by the government to address the teachers' concerns.
Dr. Apaak emphasized the government's concern about the impact of the strike on pupils and students, stressing that teachers play a central role in the country's development. He urged all parties to work together to resolve the impasse, noting that the absence of teachers from classrooms could undermine efforts to provide quality education.
The Deputy Minister described teachers as "the most important group of professionals," highlighting their crucial role in shaping the future of the nation. He encouraged the teachers to return to the classroom while the government works to resolve the outstanding issues, assuring them that their arrears will be addressed in due course.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government is working to resolve concerns of striking pre-tertiary teachers, including promotions, salary adjustments, and incentives for those in rural areas.
- Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak has appealed to the teachers to return to the classroom while negotiations continue.
- The strike has affected nearly 80,000 teachers who have passed promotional examinations but have not yet received their new salary scales and allowances.
