Pre-tertiary teachers in Ghana are expected to return to the classroom today, Monday, October 12, after a three-week strike. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers declared a nationwide strike on September 25. However, the union suspended the strike on Friday, October 9, following an agreement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The unions had raised concerns over the proposed 10% increase in the digital allowance, which currently amounts to GH¢800 annually. Additionally, about 80,000 teachers who took aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026 were yet to be placed on the appropriate salary scale, despite an earlier agreement to do so and the processing of September salaries.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced that it has received financial clearance to pay the salaries of 6,249 teachers recruited in 2024. These teachers had been working after their postings but hadn’t been placed on the government’s payroll, hence they were not receiving salaries for their services.
In Ghana’s public sector, recruits cannot be paid until the Ministry of Finance issues financial clearance. Consequently, GES noted that “This approval allows the Ghana Education Service to complete all necessary processes to ensure the staff receive their salaries. Although this financial clearance expires on 31st December 2025, Management of GES will ensure that all staff are placed on the mechanised payroll in time for November 2025 payments.”
The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, announced that the government will absorb 6,200 teachers into the education system and settle all arrears owed them. This announcement came after a group of concerned and aggrieved teachers who had worked for months without salary petitioned the office of the Education Minister.
Addressing the petition, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu revealed that the government has earmarked about one million cedis for the payment of teachers’ salaries. He also urged them to give their best to promote academic excellence across the country’s educational institutions. “A few weeks ago, my Chief Director and I received a petition from some teachers who were unhappy with the government over their delayed salaries.
The Minister highlighted that the Cabinet has given approval for the 6,200 teachers to be absorbed, and the process will begin in due course. They will receive their staff IDs, and as he assured them, they will also get their back pay. The government has approved one million dollars to absorb the teachers and a category of health workers, with the Minister noting that the Cabinet has given the Minister of Finance approval to vary the budget and spend about GH₵1.1 billion.
Key points
- Pre-tertiary teachers in Ghana resume work after a three-week strike.
- The government has earmarked about one million cedis for the payment of teachers’ salaries.
- 6,249 teachers recruited in 2024 will now receive their salaries after the Ministry of Finance issued financial clearance.
