Ghana's education sector is bracing for potential industrial action as three major teacher unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the National Graduate Teachers Association, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government. The unions are demanding the immediate resolution of outstanding concerns surrounding the payment of promotion salaries and arrears owed to teachers. In an urgent notice addressed to teachers across the country on Tuesday, September 22, the unions warned that failure to act by midday on Thursday, September 24, could leave them unable to prevent affected teachers from taking industrial action.
The dispute centres on the 2025 promotion exercise, which has yet to be fully implemented, leaving many teachers without the corresponding financial benefits. According to the unions, despite an earlier agreement with the government that all affected teachers would be automatically placed by the end of September 2026, the implementation of the promotion placement, together with the payment of associated arrears, remains incomplete. This has generated considerable frustration, tension, and dissatisfaction among teachers.
The teacher organisations have identified additional issues requiring urgent attention from the government, including the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the payment of the Deprived Area Allowance. The unions stated that the continued delay has placed increasing pressure on their leadership, particularly as teachers expect commitments previously reached with the government to be implemented within the agreed timeframe.
The unions have warned that if the issues remain unresolved by midday on September 24, they would no longer be in a position to restrain teachers from taking whatever action they consider necessary. The warning raises the possibility of industrial action within Ghana's pre-tertiary education system if the government and the teacher organisations fail to reach an understanding before the deadline.
Promotion placement determines the salary level at which eligible teachers are recognised after moving to a higher grade, making delays in implementation a matter with direct financial implications for affected members. The unions have called for the government to complete the outstanding processes and ensure that teachers receive the salaries and arrears associated with their approved promotions.
Despite the strength of their warning, the three organisations have appealed to teachers to remain calm while the leadership pursues the outstanding matters. They have instructed members to continue observing official communications and directives issued by their respective union leaderships rather than taking independent action.
The September 24 deadline places renewed pressure on the government to address the financial and employment concerns raised by the three teacher organisations before the situation escalates into a wider dispute within the education sector. Attention is now focused on whether negotiations and administrative processes can resolve the outstanding promotion payments, arrears, Collective Bargaining Agreement, and Deprived Area Allowance issues before the unions are compelled to consider further action.
Key points
- The teacher unions have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to resolve outstanding concerns over promotion salaries and arrears.
- The dispute affects teachers who were part of the 2025 promotion exercise but have yet to receive full placement and corresponding financial benefits.
- The unions have warned of potential industrial action if the issues are not addressed by midday on September 24.
