The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (PRETAG) have declared a nationwide industrial action, effective Friday, September 25, 2026. This decision comes after growing frustration among teachers due to prolonged delays in addressing critical concerns affecting their conditions of service. The unions expressed disappointment over the handling of issues by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD).
According to the joint statement signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Aanaba, and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu, negotiations for a new Collective Agreement have stalled. The existing agreement expired, and an earlier expectation was that the process would have been completed by June 2026. The unions also demand the automatic placement of newly promoted teachers who successfully completed aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026.
The teacher unions highlighted that the failure to implement the agreement between the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service and CAGD has left affected teachers without placement on their respective salary scales. Arrears dating from January 2026 have also not been addressed. The unions accused the FWSC of failing to act on the provision for the Deprived Area Allowance, which requires a review of the Deprived Area Report and subsequent negotiations with the FWSC.
The 2024 Collective Agreement stipulates that teachers working in deprived or hard-to-reach areas should receive a 20 percent allowance of their basic salaries. However, teachers in these areas are yet to receive this allowance. The unions described the situation as having created widespread dissatisfaction, anger, and disillusionment among teachers.
The continued delays and unfulfilled commitments have left the unions with no option but to embark on the industrial action to press home their demands. The unions emphasized that their concerns need to be addressed urgently to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
The nationwide strike by the teacher unions is expected to have significant implications for the education sector in Ghana. The unions' decision to take industrial action highlights the challenges faced by teachers in the country and the need for urgent attention to their concerns.
The government has been urged to engage with the teacher unions to address their concerns and find a resolution to the impasse. The strike is a reminder of the critical role that teachers play in the education system and the need for their concerns to be addressed to ensure a smooth learning environment for students.
Key points
- The teacher unions in Ghana have declared a nationwide strike over delayed concerns affecting teachers.
- The strike is due to stalled negotiations for a new Collective Agreement and non-implementation of agreements.
- The unions demand urgent attention to their concerns, including the Deprived Area Allowance and automatic placement of newly promoted teachers.
