Ghana's Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has visited a data processing centre in Accra where the government is validating the records of teachers affected by the ongoing pre-tertiary teachers' strike. The exercise aims to resolve outstanding concerns raised by teacher unions and facilitate the payment of salaries owed to eligible teachers. According to the Minister, the validation of records for at least 51,000 teachers is expected to be completed by Monday, October 5, 2026.
The data validation exercise is a crucial step towards addressing the concerns of the striking teachers. Once the exercise is completed, the validated data will be submitted to the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to begin arrangements for supplementary payments. The Minister explained that the government will direct the Controller and Accountant General, through the Minister of Finance, to make a supplementary payment for the first tranche of arrears.
During his visit on Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Minister questioned the continued reliance on manual processes for validating teachers' records. He argued that the exercise could be made more efficient through the use of technology, suggesting that an IT infrastructure system could be implemented to streamline the process. The Minister emphasized the need to find a better way of doing things, citing the fact that teachers should not be filling out forms manually.
The Minister announced that the first tranche of outstanding payments is expected to be processed by October 16, following the completion and submission of the validated data. He also reiterated the government's commitment to placing teachers who have been promoted on their new grades by October 30, emphasizing that failure to meet this deadline would be inexcusable.
According to the Minister, once the validated data is submitted, the Controller and Accountant General will be directed to make arrangements for the first tranche of outstanding payments. The initial payment is expected to be processed by October 16. The Minister urged officials handling the exercise to work with speed and accuracy, stressing that the validation is critical to ensuring that eligible teachers receive what is due to them.
The Minister also appealed to the striking teachers to consider calling off the industrial action, while acknowledging that their concerns over a collective agreement and new conditions of service remain important issues that the government must address. He emphasized the need for mutual respect and good faith between the government and teacher unions as negotiations continue.
The ongoing pre-tertiary teachers' strike has resulted in significant disruptions to the education sector in Ghana. The government's efforts to validate the records of affected teachers and make payments are seen as crucial steps towards resolving the impasse. The Education Minister's visit to the data validation centre underscores the government's commitment to finding a solution to the crisis.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government expects to validate the records of at least 51,000 striking teachers by October 5, 2026.
- The first tranche of outstanding payments to striking teachers is expected to be processed by October 16.
- The government aims to place teachers who have been promoted on their new grades by October 30.
