“I’ll have no honour if your arrears are not paid by October 30,” Haruna Iddrisu tells teachers

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has reiterated his plea to teacher unions to end their ongoing strike, pledging government's dedication to addressing their concerns, especially promotion arrears. Addressing the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony, Mr. Iddrisu confirmed that the government was actively engaging with the unions to find permanent solutions to the issues plaguing teachers.

He emphasized that teachers deserved to be treated with honor and respect, warning that if by October 30, 2026, their outstanding promotion arrears were not settled, "I will have no honor." The Minister's remarks came as the National Teaching Council hosted the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize, held from October 3 to 4 at the GNAT Hall in Accra, to honor and acknowledge the contributions of teachers to education and national progress.

The two-day event concluded with a grand durbar at the UPSA Auditorium on Monday, where outstanding teachers were expected to be honored. The theme of this year's celebration, "Empowering Teachers: Architects of the Future," underscores the need to provide teachers with resources, recognition, and respect to innovate, adapt, and maintain their enthusiasm for the profession.

It also highlights the collective responsibility of government, industry, communities, and families to create an environment that enables teachers to effectively prepare Ghana's future leaders. National Teaching Council Registrar, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, stressed that teachers should be celebrated for their vital role in shaping the next generation, stating, "Teachers must be celebrated because they are the architects of the future."

As government continues its discussions with teacher unions regarding their grievances, the Ghana Teacher Prize serves as a platform to recognize the dedication of educators and reiterate the significance of investing in those responsible for educating Ghana's future leaders. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu emphasized, "We all owe it to the teacher."