The three major pre-tertiary teacher unions in Ghana—the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG)—have declared a nationwide strike effective Friday, September 25, 2026, insisting that no amount of intimidation will force them to rescind their decision.
The leadership of the unions stated that their action stems from an “uneasy calm,” growing tension, and widespread agitation among classroom teachers across the country.
They attributed the unrest to what they described as the “lukewarm attitude” of both the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), alongside the government’s overall failure to swiftly address their lingering grievances.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s flagship morning news programme Nyankonton Mu Nsem, the Communications Officer for PRETAG, Kingsley Ayimadu, emphasized that members will not return to the classroom until concrete, positive outcomes are achieved.
“From Monday, no teacher will go to class until we hear something positive from government,” Mr. Ayimadu stated on the show. He cautioned state officials and school directors against attempting to force educators back to work, declaring: “Authorities should stay off because the unions will not be intimidated. Anyone who tries to intimidate teachers for staying away from school from Monday will face our full wrath.”
Explaining the core drivers behind the industrial action, Mr. Ayimadu pointed to several long-standing financial and administrative bottlenecks, including unpaid promotion arrears, prolonged delays in placing newly promoted teachers on their corresponding salary scales, and the non-implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.
He expressed frustration that despite several engagements, the current administration has demonstrated a clear lack of commitment to resolving the issues.
Recalling previous interactions, Mr. Ayimadu revealed that the unions had earlier drafted a comprehensive petition detailing these exact challenges and presented it to President John Dramani Mahama during his campaign ahead of the election. According to him, President Mahama gave firm assurances that his government would address the concerns immediately upon assuming office.
“We documented all these issues and presented them to President John Dramani Mahama when he was candidate for the NDC,” Mr. Ayimadu noted on Nyankonton Mu Nsem. “He gave us a firm assurance that these matters would be handled right after he took office. Years down the line, these concerns remain unsolved, and the patience of teachers has completely run out. We cannot continue to teach on empty promises while our hard work goes unrewarded.”
He added: “Our members have sacrificed for too long under difficult conditions. When promises made to us are ignored, it creates deep frustration across every staff room in the country. That is why we are united in this stand.”
The unions have instructed all teachers in public pre-tertiary institutions nationwide to strictly adhere to the strike directive and remain resolute against any external pressure.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana