The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has expressed disappointment over the government's continued failure to pay teachers who have been promoted. About 28,000 promoted teachers are still awaiting payment, despite repeated assurances from the government. NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, stated that the government initially set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for settling the outstanding payments but failed to meet it.
The government set subsequent deadlines of October 15 and October 30, 2026, which also passed without the promised payments being made. This has left thousands of affected teachers frustrated and uncertain about when they would receive their entitlements. Mr Anaba warned that the government's failure to redeem its latest commitment by November 16, 2026, could have serious consequences.
Mr Anaba cautioned that the growing frustration among the 28,000 affected teachers could have serious implications if the government fails to address their concerns within the newly announced timeframe. He stated that teachers had demonstrated considerable patience and understanding but could no longer be expected to tolerate repeated promises that were not being fulfilled.
Beyond the delayed payments, Mr Anaba disclosed that some promoted teachers were facing additional challenges because their ranks had not been properly captured and reflected in the payroll system. This has affected their remuneration, with some teachers unable to receive salaries commensurate with their new ranks despite successfully going through the promotion process.
The situation has been described as a source of further frustration for teachers who expected their promotions to translate into improved financial conditions. To prevent a recurrence of the problem, Mr Anaba has called for a system that directly links teachers' promotions to the payroll system to ensure automatic placement and corresponding salary adjustments.
Mr Anaba believes that such an arrangement would eliminate unnecessary administrative delays, reduce errors in rank placement and ensure that teachers receive their rightful remuneration as soon as their promotions are approved. He urged the government to treat the November 16 deadline as a serious commitment and ensure that all outstanding payments involving the 28,000 teachers are resolved.
The NAGRAT President warned that the continued failure to honour promises could further erode teachers' confidence in the government and heighten tensions within the education sector. For the affected teachers, NAGRAT insists that the issue is no longer about assurances but the urgent need for the government to fulfil its obligations.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government's failure to pay 28,000 promoted teachers has sparked concerns about possible industrial tension.
- NAGRAT has set a deadline of November 16, 2026, for the government to settle the outstanding payments.
- The situation has highlighted the need for a system that directly links teachers' promotions to the payroll system.
