On Monday morning, school children in various communities within Sekondi-Takoradi, including Diabene, Nkroful, and Apowa, were met with locked doors as teachers joined a nationwide strike. The strike, declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers' Association of Ghana (PRETAG), is in protest of delays in placing promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales. As a result, pupils were left stranded at schools such as Diabene Catholic and Nkroful Methodist.
A visit to some of the schools revealed that pupils who were unaware of the strike had gathered, only to find their classrooms locked and teachers absent. At the Apowa St. John's Methodist Basic School, some classrooms remained shut, with no teachers available to attend to the pupils. A similar situation was observed at the Ankyernyin Basic School. The sudden closure of schools has caused inconvenience to parents and guardians, who are now worried about the impact on their children's education.
The strike action, which began on Monday, September 28, 2026, is a nationwide protest by teachers against the government's delay in addressing their concerns. According to the teacher unions, the delays in placing promoted teachers on their correct salary scales have created uncertainty and frustration among educators. The unions are demanding that the government takes immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that teachers receive their rightful salaries.
In Sekondi-Takoradi, the strike has affected several schools, with pupils and parents expressing concern about the development. Some parents, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, appealed to the teachers to return to the classrooms to minimize the disruption to the children's education. They emphasized the importance of keeping the children busy and active, especially during the academic year.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers' Association of Ghana (PRETAG) have been vocal about their concerns, citing the need for the government to address the salary scale issues urgently. The strike has brought attention to the challenges faced by teachers in Ghana and the need for a resolution to the ongoing dispute.
As the strike continues, parents and guardians are anxiously waiting for a resolution to the impasse. The government has been urged to engage with the teacher unions to find a solution to the problem. The situation has highlighted the critical role that teachers play in the education sector and the need for their concerns to be addressed.
The impact of the strike on the education of pupils in Sekondi-Takoradi and other affected areas remains a concern. With schools closed, pupils are at risk of missing out on crucial learning opportunities. The Ghana News Agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key points
- The nationwide strike by teachers in Ghana is in protest of delays in placing promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales.
- The strike has affected several schools in Sekondi-Takoradi, with pupils left stranded and parents expressing concern.
- The teacher unions, including GNAT, NAGRAT, and PRETAG, are demanding that the government takes immediate action to resolve the issue.
