The Coalition of Unpaid Teachers has announced that Ghana’s Finance Ministry has committed to settling all outstanding salary arrears. Emmanuel Ofori, the secretary of the Coalition, confirmed that the Ministry intends to roll out a comprehensive payment plan by the end of this week.
This development comes in the wake of a recent demonstration during which unpaid teachers marched from Accra’s Obra Spot to Jubilee House and the Finance Ministry to demand the immediate disbursement of their owed wages.
Upon arriving at Jubilee House, the government’s communication team received the group’s petition and provided assurances that the state would intervene.
The protesters subsequently proceeded to the Finance Ministry.
There, the Deputy Finance Minister accepted their petition and explained that while the necessary funds are prepared, the process is currently awaiting the signature of the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who is presently abroad.
During an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Emmanuel Ofori noted that the arrears owed to staff range from a minimum of 10 months to a maximum of 17 months. He issued a firm warning that if the government fails to produce the promised payment plan, it would signal a breakdown in negotiations and likely lead to further escalation.
“The Deputy Finance Minister informed us that they are working on a payment plan, will publish it, and give us clear timelines on when payments would be made. We will hold them to account and ensure that our payments are released. If the payments are not released, we cannot guarantee what will happen next. Our members are agitated and we will not be able to contain their anger. If the payment plan is not released by the weekend as promised, we will return to the Ministry. We are a total of 6,249.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
