The Ministry of Education is set to convene with the leadership of the coalition of teacher unions on Monday, August 31, 2026, in an effort to prevent a potential nationwide strike due to delays in assigning newly promoted teachers to their correct salary scales.
The meeting, which is scheduled for 11 a.m., comes in response to an ultimatum issued by the unions, demanding that the government address the issue by the end of the workday on Monday.
The unions have warned of industrial action if newly promoted teachers are not assigned to their appropriate salary scales, citing concerns regarding a directive from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department that requires additional lists and documentation before the promotions can be executed.
According to the unions, this directive contradicts a previous assurance from the Ghana Education Service (GES) that the automatic promotion system would be in place by August.
In an interview with Eyewitness News on Friday, August 28, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, stated that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu had instructed him to engage with the unions regarding their concerns.
“Since they made this known and indicated what would happen if no action is taken, the Honourable Minister for Education has directed me to contact the leadership of the teacher unions, who have been sent to come to the ministry on Monday at 11 a.m. for a meeting,” he said.
Dr. Apaak emphasized that the government acknowledges the significance of teachers and aims to resolve the dispute before it disrupts teaching and learning.
“The minister wants to engage them so that we can find a way of getting the institution whose pronouncement has put the teachers on edge to see what can be done so that we can continue to enjoy harmony in the educational sector,” he said.
He urged the unions to remain calm and participate in the meeting, highlighting that a strike would have severe repercussions for the education system.
“Because if they go on strike, and we are talking about pre-tertiary education from kindergarten to secondary school, the consequences will be dire for all of us as a nation,” Dr Apaak said.
He further added that the ministry remained committed to maintaining a “cordial, respectful, open, transparent, and peaceful working relationship” with the teacher unions.
