The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) began their strike on September 25, 2026, after giving the government an ultimatum to address their concerns. The unions are demanding that the government conclude negotiations on a new Collective Agreement, place promoted teachers on their new salary grades, and pay arrears. They also want the 20% Deprived Area Allowance implemented for teachers in underserved communities.
According to the unions, teachers who passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 have not been moved to their new grades, despite doing the work of their new positions. The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that information on about 29,000 promoted teachers has reached the Controller and Accountant-General's Department, with more cases still being considered. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has until October 5 to submit the rest of the data.
The Deprived Area Allowance has been outstanding for years, with PRETAG Vice President Adokwei Ayikwei Awulley describing the delay as one of the most worrying issues for teachers. The government has proposed a joint exercise with the unions to validate the list of qualifying schools and communities, targeting January 2027 for implementation. However, the unions remain skeptical, citing previous promises that have not been fulfilled.
The Collective Agreement, which sets teachers' employment conditions, expired in June 2026. The unions had expected a new one to be in place by then, but talks with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have not produced a final agreement. The government has expressed willingness to continue negotiations, but the unions are insisting on seeing tangible results before returning to work.
The strike has raised concerns about the impact on the academic calendar, with the GES appealing to the unions to reconsider. Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis has stated that the Service is working with the Education and Labour ministries and the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to address the unions' concerns. Lost teaching time could force changes to lesson schedules, examinations, and the general academic calendar if the strike continues.
President John Mahama is set to meet with the leadership of the three unions on October 2, 2026, to discuss the issues. The Education Ministry, the GES, and other agencies will also attend, and the implications for the national compensation budget are expected to be on the table. The GES must still submit the outstanding data on promoted teachers by October 5.
The strike has significant implications for Ghana's education sector, with the potential to disrupt the academic calendar and impact student learning outcomes. The government's assurances have not been enough to convince the unions to return to work, and it remains to be seen whether the meeting with President Mahama will yield a resolution to the impasse.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government's failure to address the teacher unions' demands has led to a prolonged strike.
- The strike has significant implications for Ghana's education sector, particularly the academic calendar and student learning outcomes.
- The meeting between President Mahama and the teacher unions' leadership may provide a breakthrough in resolving the strike.
