Ghana's Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu visited a data processing centre where the government is validating the records of teachers currently on strike. The exercise is part of measures to resolve outstanding concerns raised by pre-tertiary teacher unions and pave the way for payment of affected teachers. Minister Iddrisu expects at least 51,000 teachers' validations to be completed by October 5, 2026.
The validation process is critical to ensuring eligible teachers receive their due payments. Minister Iddrisu urged officials handling the exercise to work with speed and accuracy. He emphasized that once the validated data is submitted, the Ministry of Finance will be directed to make arrangements for the first tranche of outstanding payments, expected to be processed by October 16.
According to Minister Iddrisu, the government aims to validate 52,000 of the 80,000 records. He stressed that the Controller and Accountant-General must work with speed to ensure timely payments. The Minister also reiterated the government's commitment to placing promoted teachers on their new grades by October 30, 2026.
Minister Iddrisu appealed to striking teachers to consider calling off the industrial action. He acknowledged that their concerns over a collective agreement and new conditions of service remain important issues the government must address. The Minister called for mutual respect between the government and teacher unions as negotiations continue.
The government's efforts to resolve the issue are ongoing, with the Education Minister engaging with stakeholders. The validation exercise is a crucial step towards addressing the concerns of striking teachers. By working with speed and accuracy, the government aims to ensure that eligible teachers receive their due payments.
The initial payment is expected to be processed by October 16, with the government committed to honouring its commitment. Minister Iddrisu emphasized that it would be inexcusable for the government to fail to pay promotion salary arrears and place teachers on the new grade by October 30.
The Education Minister's visit to the data centre underscores the government's commitment to resolving the issue. With the validation exercise ongoing, stakeholders are hopeful that a resolution will be reached soon. The government's efforts to engage with striking teachers and address their concerns are ongoing.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government aims to validate 51,000 teachers' records by October 5, 2026, to trigger payments.
- The validation process is critical to ensuring eligible teachers receive their due payments.
- The government is committed to placing promoted teachers on their new grades by October 30, 2026.
