Teachers’ Strike Continues As Government Talks End Without Agreement

Story By: Zainab Ali

Ghana’s nationwide pre-tertiary teachers’ strike remains in force after renewed negotiations between the government and teacher unions ended without an agreement on Tuesday.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission met with representatives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) to discuss the issues behind the industrial action.

The meeting ended inconclusively, with both sides agreeing to return to negotiations on Wednesday, October 7.

The teacher unions have maintained that they will continue the strike until concrete progress is made on their concerns, which include promotion arrears, the implementation of the deprived-area allowance and issues surrounding their collective agreement.

The dispute has already disrupted academic activities in several parts of the country, leaving many students without normal classroom instruction.

Meanwhile, government officials have maintained that efforts are being made to resolve the matter. Parliament’s Education Committee Vice Chairman, Joseph Kumah, said government has funds to meet some of its obligations but that administrative processes, including the validation and uploading of teacher data, have contributed to delays.

With negotiations resuming today, attention is now focused on whether both sides can reach an agreement that will bring the teachers back to the classroom.