A high-level meeting between the Ghanaian government and pre-tertiary teacher unions ended without a resolution, despite the government presenting new and improved proposals. The meeting, which took place yesterday, was attended by key government officials, including Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Finance Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and Minister of Employment and Job Creation Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum. The teacher unions, represented by General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers Thomas Musah, among others, will reconvene on Monday to consider the government's proposals.
The government's proposals centered on three core issues, including the implementation of new grades for promoted teachers. According to Minister Iddrisu, the government has committed to honoring this commitment by October 30, 2026, with the Controller and Accountant General set to validate data for 51,000 persons. A supplementary payment schedule will be provided for this category, while other categories will receive it as part of their October salaries. The government assured that it will not renege on this pledge, urging teachers to call off the industrial action.
The second issue discussed was the 20 percent deprived area allowance, a manifesto pledge by the NDC government and President John Mahama. The government seeks to establish a clear understanding of who qualifies for this allowance and which areas in Ghana will be declared rural and deprived. A committee, including representatives from teacher unions and the Ghana Statistical Service, has been established to validate data and provide a roadmap for implementation.
The third issue addressed was the expired conditions of service for teachers. The unions will return to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on Tuesday to negotiate a new collective agreement. The Chief Executive of the Commission has invited the unions to attend, with the hope that negotiations will be concluded within a week. Minister Iddrisu expressed his appreciation for the leadership and renewed his appeal to the unions to call off the strike.
The teacher unions have confirmed that new proposals were presented but no conclusion was reached. General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, stated that the unions will review the proposals and respond on Monday. Meanwhile, President of PRETAG, King Awudu Ali, emphasized that the strike action remains in force until further notice.
The ongoing strike has significant implications for Ghana's education sector, with the academic calendar already disrupted. The government's efforts to resolve the issue are crucial in ensuring that students receive a stable education. The teacher unions' decision to reconvene on Monday will be closely watched, as stakeholders hope for a swift resolution.
Key stakeholders, including parents, students, and educators, are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the strike. The government's commitment to addressing the teacher unions' demands is a positive step, but the outcome remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: a resolution is necessary to prevent further disruptions to Ghana's education system.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has presented new proposals to pre-tertiary teacher unions in an effort to resolve the ongoing strike.
- The proposals address three core issues, including new grades for promoted teachers, a 20 percent deprived area allowance, and expired conditions of service.
- The teacher unions will reconvene on Monday to consider the government's proposals and determine their next course of action.
