Teacher unions across the country have declared an indefinite nationwide strike effective today, Friday, 25 September 2026, over the government’s continued failure to address long-standing welfare concerns and key agreements.
The joint action, spearheaded by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), comes amidst growing frustration over what leadership describes as a lukewarm attitude by state agencies.
In an official statement released to the media, the unions highlighted three critical grievances driving the industrial action, top amongst them being the failure to negotiate a new Collective Agreement following the expiration of the previous document. Negotiations, which were scheduled for completion on or before June 2026, remain unresolved despite repeated engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The leadership expressed concern over the plight of teachers in remote regions, criticising the non-implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance outlined in Section 17(2) of the 2024 Collective Agreement.
“According to Section 17(2) of the 2024 Collective Agreement, the MoE and the GES shall review the Deprived Area Report for implementation. The Teacher Unions shall then negotiate the figures with the FWSC,” the statement noted. “As of today, this has not been done, in utter disregard of this stipulation in the Collective Agreement”.
The unions argued that the delay violates previous directives and rulings, including a policy directive by former President John Dramani Mahama mandating a 20 per cent basic salary allowance for teachers serving in hard-to-reach areas to boost morale.
Furthermore, the unions pointed to the refusal of the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to automatically place newly promoted teachers onto their corresponding salary scales. The delay affects two cohorts who passed aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026, leaving accrued arrears unpaid since January 2026.
Union leaders warned that unfulfilled promises and mounting pressure from members left them with no alternative but to withdraw their services.
“It must be placed on record that these issues have not only created widespread disaffection, anger, and disillusionment among the rank and file of our members, but are also seen as an act of provocation,” the leadership stated. “In the light of the above circumstances… we the Teachers Unions, do stand with our members and hereby declare a nationwide industrial action (Strike), effective today Friday, 25th September 2026, to press home our demands”.
The declaration was jointly signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaaba, and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana