The Council of State in Ghana is set to meet with representatives of striking pre-tertiary teachers, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG). The meeting, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, aims to explore possible measures to resolve the impasse. The teachers have been protesting delayed promotions, deprived-area allowances, and negotiations on a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Ministry of Education.
The striking teachers are demanding resolution to several outstanding concerns, including a 10% increase in the digital allowance, which currently stands at GH¢800 annually. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has assured that the government is committed to fulfilling its obligations to teachers, including paying outstanding promotion arrears. He stated that if the arrears are not paid by Friday, October 30, he will be held accountable.
The government had previously met with the pre-tertiary teacher unions on September 28 to discuss their intended nationwide strike. The meeting allowed both parties to explore possible measures to resolve the outstanding issues. Jacob Anaba, President of NAGRAT, expressed optimism that the upcoming meeting with the Council of State would lead to meaningful progress in addressing their concerns.
The unions had directed all pre-tertiary teachers to stop working immediately until their concerns are addressed. According to King Ali Awudu, President of PRETAG, attempts to negotiate a new agreement since last year have failed, and their conditions of service expired in June. He noted that about 80,000 teachers who took aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026 were yet to be placed on the appropriate salary scale.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) recently announced that it has received financial clearance to pay the salaries of 6,249 teachers recruited in 2024. These teachers had been working after their postings but hadn’t been placed on the government’s payroll. The education regulator announced that they can now start receiving salaries after the Finance Ministry authorised their payment.
In Ghana’s public sector, recruits cannot be paid until the Ministry of Finance issues financial clearance. The GES noted that the approval allows them to complete all necessary processes to ensure the staff receive their salaries. The management of GES will ensure that all staff are placed on the mechanised payroll in time for November 2025 payments.
The meeting between the Council of State and the striking teachers is expected to provide an opportunity for both parties to explore possible measures to resolve the outstanding issues. The outcome of the meeting is crucial in determining the next steps for the striking teachers and the education sector in Ghana.
Key points
- The Council of State will meet with striking pre-tertiary teachers to resolve grievances and facilitate their return to the classroom.
- The striking teachers are demanding resolution to several outstanding concerns, including delayed promotions and deprived-area allowances.
- The government has assured that it is committed to fulfilling its obligations to teachers, including paying outstanding promotion arrears.
