Ghana's Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has pledged to resolve the ongoing teachers' strike in the country. The strike, which has disrupted the academic calendar, has been a major concern for the government and parents. Mr Iddrisu said ending the industrial action remained a priority and pledged to personally engage in efforts to address the outstanding issues. He made the commitment on October 7, 2026, while speaking to journalists.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to a supplementary salary arrangement through the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department by October 16. He said the commitment would be honoured, and that the government would work to ensure that the teachers' concerns are addressed. Mr Iddrisu also appealed to the teachers to consider the disruption caused by the industrial action and help protect the academic calendar.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would continue negotiations with the striking teachers as part of efforts to reach an agreement and bring the strike to an end. Mr Iddrisu expressed confidence that the outstanding issues could be addressed and teachers returned to work. He reiterated the government's commitment to the October 16 deadline for the supplementary salary arrangement.
The strike by teachers has been attributed to delays in payment of promotion arrears and other conditions of service. The teachers' unions have maintained that they will not return to work until their concerns are addressed. Mr Iddrisu's comments come as the government faces criticism for not doing enough to address the teachers' concerns earlier.
The Education Minister's assurance has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders. While some have welcomed the government's commitment to resolving the strike, others have expressed skepticism. They argue that the government has made similar promises in the past without following through.
The strike has had a significant impact on the education sector, with many schools forced to close or operate with reduced staff. Parents and students have expressed concern about the impact on the academic calendar. Mr Iddrisu's pledge to resolve the strike has raised hopes that a solution may be imminent.
The government has been urged to work closely with the teachers' unions to find a lasting solution to the problem. The stakeholders have also called for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the teachers' concerns, rather than just focusing on short-term solutions.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has committed to resolving the teachers' strike.
- The strike has disrupted the academic calendar.
- The government has pledged to honour a supplementary salary arrangement by October 16.
