🚨 TEACHER UNIONS REJECT PROMISES: “WE ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM”
TEACHER UNIONS SAY THEY WILL STAY HOME UNTIL CONCRETE ACTION IS TAKEN AND OUTSTANDING SALARIES AND ARREARS BEGIN REFLECTING ON TEACHERS’ PAYSLIPS AND ACCOUNTS.
The nationwide teacher strike in Ghana has entered another critical stage after the leadership of the teacher unions met the government on Monday, September 28, 2026, to discuss the issues that triggered the ongoing industrial action.
Following the meeting, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) indicated that the engagement had not produced the concrete outcome the unions were seeking.
According to a statement attributed to GNAT President Prosper Tarchie, the unions are no longer prepared to rely on promises and want to see actual implementation, particularly regarding teachers’ salaries and arrears.
The latest development comes as GNAT, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) continue their nationwide industrial action.
Current reports confirm that the unions have rejected calls to return to the classroom, insisting that concrete action is required before the strike can be called off.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: TEACHER UNIONS DECLARE NATIONWIDE STRIKE EFFECTIVE TODAY
TEACHER STRIKE GHANA: WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEETING?
The government meeting with the teacher unions was held on Monday, September 28, as part of efforts to resolve the issues behind the nationwide strike.
The engagement involved the Ministry of Education and the leadership of the three major pre-tertiary teacher unions. The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) have also been central to discussions surrounding the outstanding salary and promotion-related issues.
However, the unions say the meeting did not result in sufficient progress to justify returning to the classroom.AD 1 – DETAILED LESSON PLANS & SCHEMES OF WORK
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“WE WANT ACTION, NOT PROMISES”
In the statement provided to Smart Teachers Avenue, GNAT President Prosper Tarchie said the unions had met the Education Minister and his team but described the discussions as another round of promises.
He said the unions now want to see concrete results, particularly the payment of money owed to affected teachers.
The GNAT President stated that teachers must continue to stay home until they see their salaries and arrears reflected on their payslips and credited to their accounts.
He further indicated that the unions would continue engaging their various councils following the meeting.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: WHY TEACHERS NEED A STRONGER COLLECTIVE VOICE
TEACHERS TO REMAIN OFF DUTY
The latest position means the teacher strike in Ghana will continue, according to the union leadership.
The unions had previously declared nationwide industrial action over several outstanding concerns, including the placement of newly promoted teachers and payment of related arrears, delays in negotiating a new Collective Agreement and the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.
The unions have maintained that the issues have remained unresolved despite previous engagements and commitments.
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GOVERNMENT AND CAGD HAVE GIVEN A DIFFERENT UPDATE
While the unions say they are still waiting for concrete implementation, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department has provided a separate update on the promotion cases.
CAGD reportedly said it had processed all 6,079 promotion cases submitted by the Ghana Education Service with the required documentation and that applicable promotion arrears had been paid in the September 2026 salaries.
The department also said documentation for another 52,541 cases had not yet been submitted by GES for payroll processing.
This difference in the positions of the unions and the payroll authorities is an important part of the ongoing dispute.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: 5 Points On The Ultimate Teacher Checklist: Secure Your Classroom Before Leaving
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The immediate focus is now on whether further engagement between the government and the teacher unions can produce a concrete resolution.
The unions have indicated that they are willing to continue discussions, but their latest position is that promises alone will not be sufficient to end the industrial action.
For teachers affected by promotion placement, salary adjustments and arrears, the key issue remains when the outstanding payments and other commitments will actually be implemented.
Smart Teachers Avenue will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new developments emerge.
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