Ghana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, is set to meet with three pre-tertiary teacher unions on Monday, September 28, in an effort to resolve a nationwide strike that began on Friday, September 25. The strike, declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), is over unpaid promotion arrears and other outstanding demands. The meeting aims to engage the unions and relevant institutions to address the concerns and work towards ending the industrial action.
The teacher unions declared the strike due to prolonged delays and unfulfilled commitments regarding issues affecting teachers. In a joint statement, the unions cited growing frustration over the unresolved matters. The Ministry of Education has expressed concern about the strike's potential impact on the academic calendar. According to the Press Secretary of the Ministry, Hasmin Mohammed, the Minister will use the meeting to engage with the unions and work towards an amicable resolution of the issues.
The meeting will bring together the teacher unions, the Education Ministry, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to deliberate on the outstanding matters. One of the major concerns of the unions is the delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement, which was expected to be completed by June 2026. Despite several engagements with the FWSC, the negotiations remain outstanding.
The unions are also demanding the automatic placement of teachers who successfully passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 on the appropriate salary scales, along with payment of arrears effective January 2026. Another demand is the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in deprived communities. The Ministry has made efforts to restore the academic calendar to normalcy following previous disruptions.
The academic calendar had been disrupted, but pupils and students from kindergarten through to the university reported to school in September. The Ministry is working to prevent further disruptions and ensure a smooth academic calendar. The teacher unions' demands are aimed at addressing issues affecting teachers and improving their working conditions.
The Education Minister's meeting with the teacher unions is crucial in resolving the dispute and ending the strike. The outcome of the meeting will determine the next steps for the unions and the Ministry. The Ministry has pledged to work towards an amicable resolution of the issues, and the meeting is expected to provide a platform for constructive engagement.
The Ghana News Agency was informed that the Ministry is committed to finding a solution to the dispute. The meeting between the Education Minister and the teacher unions will be a significant step towards resolving the issues and ensuring a smooth academic calendar. The unions have been pressing for a resolution to the outstanding matters, and the Ministry's efforts are aimed at addressing their concerns.
Key points
- The Education Minister will meet with teacher unions on September 28 to resolve disputes over unpaid promotion arrears and other demands.
- The nationwide strike was declared by GNAT, NAGRAT, and PRETAG on September 25 due to prolonged delays and unfulfilled commitments.
- The meeting will bring together the unions, Education Ministry, FWSC, and the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to deliberate on the outstanding matters.
