Education Minister to meet with teacher unions on Monday over strike

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu will convene a meeting on Monday, September 28, with three pre-tertiary teacher unions to address a dispute involving unpaid promotion arrears and other outstanding demands. This follows a nationwide strike declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) on Friday, September 25, 2026.

The unions, as stated in a joint statement, initiated the strike due to delays in addressing their concerns, unfulfilled commitments, and increasing frustration over issues affecting teachers. Press Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Hasmin Mohammed, revealed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that the Minister will leverage the meeting to engage the unions and other appropriate entities to resolve the ongoing issues.

The Ministry voiced its concern over the strike's potential impact on the academic calendar and pledged its commitment to achieving an amicable resolution. The Ministry had taken steps to restore normalcy to the academic calendar after previous disruptions, with students from kindergarten through university returning to school in September, according to Mohammed.

Among the major issues raised by the unions is the lengthy negotiation process for a new Collective Agreement, which was expected to be finalized by June 2026 but is still pending despite multiple discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). The unions also seek the immediate placement of teachers who passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 on the correct salary scales, along with the payment of arrears starting January 2026.

Additionally, the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in disadvantaged regions is another demand.