Savannah College of Education staff withdraw services, demand government payroll

Nearly 170 staff members at Savannah College of Education in Daboya, Savannah Region, have ceased their services due to delays in transitioning onto the government payroll, according to a joint press conference held in Daboya. The teaching and non-teaching staff, representing the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and the Colleges of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association of Ghana (CENTSAG), have vowed not to return to work until they are placed on the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department payroll, describing their ongoing exclusion as financially devastating.

The college, absorbed into the public system in March 2025, has yet to see any staff members migrated onto the government payroll. Jacob Kotochi, a lecturer at the college, stated that despite the government's commitment to pay student allowances, the workforce's employment and salary concerns remain unfilled. He emphasized that the government fulfilled one side of the deal but neglected to address staff's employment and salary issues.

The staff members are struggling to support their families, especially with rising living costs and the need to work away from home. Current staff allowances are insufficient, with the highest-paid staff earning less than GH¢2,000 and some receiving as little as GH¢500. Mr. Kotochi described the situation as unbearable, given the cost of feeding a family on such a small stipend.

The decision to withdraw services followed multiple attempts to resolve the issue with various stakeholders, including traditional authorities and regional officials. Despite these efforts, including meetings with the paramount chief in Daboya and regional officials, no meaningful outcomes have been achieved. The staff members insist that their service withdrawal will continue until they secure their migration onto the public payroll.

This action brings attention to the unresolved employment and remuneration concerns at the college since its transition into the public Colleges of Education system in March 2025.