Teacher unions suspend nationwide strike over promotion arrears

The three main pre-tertiary teacher unions—the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG)—have suspended their nationwide industrial action following intensive negotiations with the Council of State and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). The unions have directed their members to return to classrooms on Monday, October 12, 2026. The strike, which began on September 25, was triggered by delays in paying promotion arrears, incorrect salary scale placements, and the non-implementation of a 20% allowance for teachers working in deprived areas.

A significant breakthrough in the negotiations involves the payment of outstanding promotion-related arrears for approximately 51,000 teachers. Thomas Musah, the General Secretary of GNAT, announced that the government has committed to paying these adjusted salaries and arrears by October 16, 2026. Dr. George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive of the FWSC, confirmed that the necessary modalities have been signed, noting that the promotion records for these educators have already been processed to facilitate the upcoming payments.

Beyond salary arrears, the agreement outlines a roadmap for additional teacher benefits throughout the remainder of the year. A digital support allowance is scheduled for disbursement in November, followed by a professional development allowance in December 2026. While the 20% allowance for teachers in deprived areas was agreed upon in principle, the unions and government are still finalizing specific implementation details. The Ministry of Education welcomed the suspension, with Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Apaak emphasizing the government's commitment to resolving grievances without seeing educators as adversaries.

Despite the resumption of work, the unions have clarified that the suspension is not a final conclusion to their demands. Thomas Musah stated that negotiations regarding the collective agreement and other conditions of service will persist until all outstanding concerns are fully addressed. The Council of State, which described the recent discussions as fruitful, will continue to monitor the progress of these talks. Teachers are expected to see the implementation of a new collective agreement starting in January 2027, as part of a broader effort to ensure lasting industrial harmony in the education sector.