The three major unions representing Ghana’s pre-tertiary teachers have suspended their nationwide industrial action after the government gave assurances that more than 80,000 qualified teachers would be placed on their appropriate salary scales.
The decision was reached following discussions between the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRE-TTAG), and the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
The unions had declared the strike over concerns including delays in securing financial clearance and the failure to place teachers who had successfully passed their promotion examinations on the correct salary scales.
As part of the agreement, the government has instructed the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to complete the placement of the affected teachers by September.
Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, said steps would also be taken to make the placement process easier by removing unnecessary administrative procedures.
According to him, teachers who qualify for promotion will no longer be required to travel to regional or district education offices with payslips and other documents before their placement can be processed.
Dr Apaak said the government was satisfied that significant progress had been made in addressing the unions’ concerns and thanked them for agreeing to suspend the strike while discussions continue.
Promotion Salary Payments
GNAT General Secretary, Thomas Tanko Musah, said the decision to suspend the strike was based on clear commitments made by the government during the meeting.
He disclosed that the agreed date for payment of promotion-related salaries had been brought forward to January 2026, instead of July 2026, which had previously been announced.
He added that the unions would continue monitoring the implementation of the agreement to ensure the government fulfils its commitments.
PRE-TTAG President, King Ali Awudu, also confirmed the suspension and appealed to teachers to return to their classrooms.
He explained that teachers who could not be placed on the appropriate scale by September would be included in a supplementary budget to facilitate their payment.
Meanwhile, NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, said the suspension of the strike does not mean all issues affecting teachers have been resolved.
He assured members that the unions would continue negotiations with the government to address the remaining concerns.
The suspension of the industrial action is expected to allow teachers to return to their posts and restore normal teaching and learning activities in pre-tertiary schools nationwide.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar