Council of State invites teacher unions to resolve industrial action

The Council of State has formally invited representatives from various teacher unions to a consultative meeting on Friday, October 9, in an effort to bring an end to the industrial actions currently affecting the pre-tertiary education sector. The meeting, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., aims to create a platform for dialogue between the government’s advisory body and the leadership of the unions, who have been protesting over unresolved welfare issues and administrative delays. This high-level intervention underscores the urgency of stabilizing the academic calendar.

The discussions will primarily focus on three critical areas: teacher promotions, allowances for those serving in deprived areas, and the broader Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated with the Ministry of Education. While the government has made progress in some administrative areas, the unions remain dissatisfied with the pace of implementation. Specifically, the Controller and Accountant-General has recently completed the processing of promotion records for 52,000 teachers. Despite this milestone, the actual disbursement of updated salaries and arrears remains a major sticking point in the dispute.

This mediation by the Council of State is viewed as a significant step toward restoring normalcy to Ghana's schools. The leadership of the teacher unions is expected to present detailed evidence of their members' concerns, particularly regarding the financial impact of delayed promotion benefits. As the Friday meeting approaches, education stakeholders are hopeful that this engagement will yield a roadmap for the full implementation of the CBA and ensure that the 52,000 affected teachers see the tangible benefits of their career advancements, thereby averting further strikes.