Council of State invites teacher unions for talks to end strike

The Council of State has invited representatives from Ghana's pre-tertiary teacher unions to a meeting on Friday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m. to resolve the ongoing nationwide strike. The discussions will focus on the key grievances that led to the industrial action, including delayed promotion payments, the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and allowances for teachers in deprived areas. This intervention follows a period of heightened tension as the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and other unions have been off duty since late September.

In a move to address administrative delays, the Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei, reported that his department is currently verifying promotion input forms for 52,000 teachers. This validation exercise is expected to be completed by next week, with salary adjustments and arrears payments anticipated to hit teacher accounts by October 15 or 16. The processing of these records follows a directive from Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who has committed the government to resolving all outstanding union concerns by October 30, 2026.

While the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has been holding parallel meetings, Chief Executive Dr. George Smith-Graham noted that recent discussions remained inconclusive and required further consultation with stakeholders. The FWSC also took the opportunity to refute reports claiming it intended to deduct salaries from striking teachers for missed workdays, emphasizing its focus on dialogue rather than punitive measures. Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak and Tourism Minister Dzifa Gomashie have both appealed for teachers to return to classrooms, describing the government’s stance as non-antagonistic and pleading for the sake of the students.

The impact of the strike is being felt most acutely by final-year senior high school students, who have expressed significant anxiety over lost instructional time ahead of their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). On the political front, Kingsley Agyemang, an MP on the Education Committee, cautioned that the industrial action reflects a deep loss of confidence in the government's ability to fulfill its promises. He urged the administration to prioritize timely salary payments to stabilize the academic calendar and restore trust within the education sector.