The Russia branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed concern over the Mahama administration's handling of teacher welfare. According to Abubakari Yushawu, Assistant Secretary of the Russia Branch, the NPP's previous administration prioritized teacher welfare, whereas the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has implemented policies that have had a negative impact on teachers.
Under the NPP administration, several policies were implemented to improve teacher welfare. The Three-Month Pay Policy was abolished, allowing teachers to receive full salary arrears. The automatic posting of teachers was maintained, and all arrears owed to teachers were cleared. Additionally, the NPP increased the base pay for newly posted teachers, with a 12.5% increase in 2017, followed by 11% in 2018, 10% in 2019, and 15% in 2020.
In contrast, the NDC government, which took office in 2025, has introduced policies that have been detrimental to teachers. The government increased salaries by only 10% in 2025 and further reduced the increase to 9% in 2026. Furthermore, the automatic posting of teachers was abolished, and qualified teachers have been denied promotions after completing interviews.
The NPP Russia branch has also highlighted the government's failure to pay the Continuous Professional Development Allowance for teachers. This allowance, which was approved by the previous NPP administration, provided teachers with an annual stipend of GH¢1,200 to support their professional development.
The concerns raised by the NPP Russia branch have sparked debate about the Mahama administration's commitment to teacher welfare. Teachers have reportedly been affected by the policies implemented by the government, which have impacted their livelihoods and working conditions.
Abubakari Yushawu, Assistant Secretary of the Russia Branch, expressed disappointment in the government's handling of teacher welfare. He stated that the NPP's previous administration had prioritized teacher welfare, whereas the current government has failed to do so.
The issue has raised questions about the government's priorities and its commitment to improving the welfare of teachers in Ghana. The NPP Russia branch's criticism of the Mahama administration highlights the ongoing debate about teacher welfare and the need for effective policies to support educators.
Key points
- The NPP Russia branch criticizes the Mahama administration for treating teachers unfairly.
- The previous NPP administration implemented policies to improve teacher welfare, including abolishing the Three-Month Pay Policy and increasing base pay.
- The current NDC government has introduced policies that have negatively impacted teachers, including reducing salary increases and abolishing automatic posting.
