Public schools in Ghana will resume normal teaching and learning on Monday, October 12, 2026, following the suspension of a two-week nationwide strike by teacher unions. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) officially suspended the strike on Friday, October 9, 2026. This decision brings relief to millions of parents and students affected since the strike began on September 25, 2026.
The suspension of the strike follows weeks of tension and several failed mediation attempts between state officials and union leaders. Previous meetings ended inconclusively, with union executives directing members to remain home due to the government's failure to fulfil previous assurances. However, an intense, multi-stage diplomatic effort led to a breakthrough, involving the Ministry of Labour, the Council of State, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
A joint communiqué was signed by state representatives, including the FWSC and the Ghana Education Service (GES), alongside executives from the three teacher unions. The agreement outlines a clear schedule for disbursing allowances and arrears. An initial batch of 51,000 teachers will receive back pay by October 16, 2026, with all remaining affected staff scheduled for full payment by October 31, 2026.
The agreement also includes timelines for other allowances. Negotiations on the Digital Instruction Support Allowance have concluded, with payouts scheduled for November 2026. Final terms have been agreed for the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Allowance, with disbursements set for December 2026. The government has committed to rolling out full implementation modalities for the Deprived Area Allowance in January 2027.
Union leaders emphasized that the return to work is strictly conditional, warning that any failure by the government to meet the agreed payment dates will trigger an immediate resumption of the strike. Both parties confirmed that dialogue will remain ongoing to address all remaining conditions of service. The suspension of the strike allows for the resumption of academic activities, which had been disrupted.
The breakthrough was attributed to an intense diplomatic effort involving various stakeholders. The Council of State, led by former Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho, played a crucial role in facilitating the agreement. The Labour Minister expressed hope that the talks would end the strike, and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) called for swift action to address the teachers' concerns.
With the strike suspended, attention now turns to the implementation of the agreed-upon timelines and the government's commitment to addressing the teachers' concerns. The Ghana Education Service and the FWSC will work together to ensure that the agreed payments are made to the teachers. Key issues, including the payment of promotion placement arrears and the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance, will be closely monitored.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has agreed to a clear schedule for disbursing allowances and arrears to teachers.
- An initial batch of 51,000 teachers will receive back pay by October 16, 2026.
- The suspension of the strike is conditional on the government's adherence to the agreed payment dates.
