Greater Accra teacher unions back nationwide strike over three key demands

The leadership of three teacher unions in Greater Accra has joined the ongoing nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teachers. The unions - the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) - are urging the government to take action on three key issues: paying promoted teachers their new salary levels, finalizing negotiations for a new Collective Agreement, and implementing a 20% Deprived Area Allowance.

Regional Chairman Henry Teitey Tettey-Afi of NAGRAT addressed a press conference at the NAGRAT Hall, noting that despite earlier government promises, only around 6,000 out of 80,000 promoted teachers have been placed in their new salary brackets. The unions have been demanding placement by the end of September, but this target remains unmet.

Additionally, negotiations for a new Collective Agreement have stalled, and the 20% allowance for teachers working in deprived or difficult-to-reach areas has not been implemented. While the regional leadership does not seek immediate resolution of all outstanding issues, they insist the government demonstrate tangible progress on these matters.

Tettey-Afi emphasized that the strike will persist until the government takes steps to address the unions' concerns. The Greater Accra leadership has also called on parents to keep their children at home until the strike continues.