The Controller and Accountant-General's Department (CAGD) in Ghana is nearing the completion of verifying 52,000 teacher promotion records. This process is expected to be finished by next week, allowing for the payment of salary adjustments and arrears to the promoted teachers. According to Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has submitted all necessary input forms for the exercise.
As of October 8, the CAGD had processed the promotions of all 52,000 teachers on the government payroll system and received accompanying forms. The department is currently verifying the input forms and promotion letters. Kwasi Agyei stated that the goal is to pay the promoted teachers on October 15 or before October 16. The verification process is crucial in ensuring that the correct payments are made to the teachers.
The promotions were directed by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu on September 28. He instructed the Director-General of the GES to submit data on all promoted teachers to the CAGD. This directive aimed to facilitate the payment of salaries and arrears owed to the promoted teachers. The move comes after teacher unions, including NAGRAT, GNAT, and PRETAG, raised concerns about delayed promotions and other issues.
The teacher unions had gone on strike over outstanding promotions, conditions of service, and deprived-area allowances. The strike highlighted the need for timely payments and improved working conditions for teachers. With the CAGD's verification process nearing completion, the promoted teachers can expect to receive their salary adjustments and arrears soon.
According to Kwasi Agyei, promotions not captured in the current payroll run will not be left out. They will be handled through a supplementary payroll and reflected in teachers' salaries afterwards. This ensures that all promoted teachers will receive their due payments, regardless of any delays in processing their promotions.
The CAGD's verification process is a critical step in resolving the issues surrounding teacher promotions. The department's efforts to complete the verification by next week demonstrate its commitment to timely payments. Once the verification is complete, the payments can be processed, and the promoted teachers can receive their salary adjustments and arrears.
The timely payment of promoted teachers is essential for maintaining morale and motivation among educators. The Ghanaian government's efforts to address the concerns of teacher unions and ensure prompt payments are crucial for improving the education sector. With the payment of promoted teachers expected to be completed by October 16, the unions and teachers can look forward to a resolution of the issues.
Key points
- The CAGD is verifying 52,000 teacher promotion records, with payment expected by October 16.
- The verification process is critical in ensuring correct payments to promoted teachers.
- Promotions not captured in the current payroll run will be handled through a supplementary payroll.
