Teacher unions reject government’s call to suspend strike

Teacher unions have dismissed the government's request to halt their nationwide strike, insisting that the unions will only resume teaching once their concerns are addressed. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) have insisted that outstanding salaries and arrears must be resolved before they return to the classroom.

This stance was confirmed following a meeting between the unions and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, where officials from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and Ghana Education Service also participated. GNAT's Head of Salaries, Grievances and Negotiations, Isaac Baah, expressed frustration with repeated assurances without resolution.

PRETAG's Vice President, Adokwei Ayikwei-Awulley, also confirmed the strike would continue, stating teachers were dissatisfied with promises alone. Despite government's appeal for the unions to suspend the strike and allow negotiations to proceed, the unions emphasized that addressing outstanding salaries and arrears is crucial.

The government urged the unions to return to work to allow discussions to continue, but the unions remain steadfast in their demand for tangible action on their issues. The meeting did not result in an immediate end to the industrial action, with further talks expected as both sides work towards resolving the outstanding concerns.