The leadership of Ghana's teacher unions in the Volta Region has instructed members to continue their strike, citing unresolved concerns affecting teachers. The directive, issued on October 2, 2026, applies to members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PTTA-GH). The unions are pressing for concrete action from the government to address their outstanding concerns.
Addressing the media in Ho, Volta Regional Chairman of GNAT, Felix Owusu-Ansah, emphasized that the strike would continue until the national unions communicate otherwise. He directed district executives to mobilize local union executives and members to ensure strict compliance with the strike directive. The unions' concerns include the delay in negotiating a new collective agreement, automatic placement of promoted teachers, payment of outstanding arrears, and implementation of the deprived areas allowance.
The teacher unions stressed that their action is not intended to shut the door to negotiations with the government. They expressed commitment to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue, provided that it leads to concrete action and resolution of their concerns. According to the unions, several issues remain unresolved, and they called on the government to take concrete steps to address them.
The strike directive has been reaffirmed in various regions, including the Western Region, where teacher unions have also expressed their commitment to the industrial action. In the Dormaa area, over 2,000 teachers have complied with the strike. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has appealed to teachers to return to class, citing potential disruptions to the academic calendar.
The National Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) has backed the striking teacher unions, urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their concerns. Former President John Mahama has also been urged to intervene in the matter. The strike has led to some schools turning into ghost towns, with pupils forced to go on an early holiday.
The government has appealed to striking teachers to suspend their action as talks with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) resume. The Ghana National Association of Teachers has also been engaging with its members to ensure compliance with the strike directive. In some regions, teachers have begun to receive support from local communities and other stakeholders.
As the strike continues, the teacher unions remain resolute in their demands for better working conditions and resolution of their outstanding concerns. The government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of the teacher unions and find a lasting solution to the impasse. The situation remains volatile, with no immediate end to the strike in sight.
Key points
- The teacher unions are demanding concrete action from the government to address concerns including delayed collective agreement negotiations, automatic placement of promoted teachers, and payment of outstanding arrears.
