The Greater Accra leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) has reaffirmed its support for the ongoing nationwide strike by the three unions. The regional leadership has directed teachers to continue staying off duty until the government addresses the outstanding issues that triggered the industrial action. This decision was made at a joint press briefing at the GNAT Greater Accra Regional Secretariat.
According to GNAT Greater Accra Regional Secretary, Cosmos Ennu Kwaw, the strike was necessary because several concerns raised by the unions had not been satisfactorily resolved. He identified key issues as the automatic placement of teachers who have passed their promotion examinations, the completion of negotiations for a new collective agreement, and the implementation of a 20 per cent deprived-area allowance. These issues have been a major point of contention between the teacher unions and the government.
Mr. Kwaw called for teachers who successfully completed the promotion process to be placed on the appropriate salary levels without further delay. He emphasized that this has been the practice in the past and should continue. The unions are demanding that teachers who sat for the prescribed promotion examinations and were declared as having passed be placed on their respective salary levels without any delay.
The Greater Accra leadership also urged the government to fully implement an agreement reached on August 31, 2026, between the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the teacher unions. According to Mr. Kwaw, the agreement must be implemented in its entirety without any variation or qualification. This agreement is seen as a crucial step towards resolving the outstanding issues.
Furthermore, Mr. Kwaw urged all parties involved in negotiations over a new collective agreement to intensify their efforts and bring the process to a conclusion as soon as possible. The teacher unions believe that a new collective agreement is essential to addressing their concerns and improving their working conditions.
The Greater Accra leadership cautioned teachers against returning to the classroom on their own, insisting that the strike remains in force until the unions issue a fresh directive. Any changes to the industrial action would be communicated through the official channels of GNAT, NAGRAT, and PRETAG. This warning is aimed at maintaining unity among the teachers and ensuring that their demands are met.
The three teacher unions declared the nationwide strike on September 25, 2026, citing unresolved issues concerning conditions of service, promotion, and the implementation of the 20 per cent deprived-area allowance. The strike has been ongoing, with the unions maintaining that the outstanding concerns must be addressed before teachers resume duty. The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Key points
- The Greater Accra teacher unions have reaffirmed their support for the nationwide strike, demanding the resolution of outstanding issues including automatic placement of teachers who have passed their promotion examinations and the implementation of a 20 per cent deprived-area allowance.
