Striking pre-tertiary teachers across Ghana have suspended their industrial action with immediate effect, bringing an end to weeks of disruption across public schools.
The decision by the leadership of the teacher unions follows assurances from the government to resolve long-standing grievances regarding working conditions and administrative delays.
Speaking to journalists after exhaustive talks with state officials, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah, confirmed that teachers will return to classrooms across the country on Monday.
According to Mr Musah, recent negotiations involved key government agencies and state institutions to address the core grievances of the teaching staff. The unions’ demands centred primarily on three main areas: the payment of deprived area allowances, delays in teacher promotions, and the proper implementation of their collective agreement.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media, let us use this opportunity to express our gratitude for following us for the past three weeks… Today we’ve had a very long haul after engaging in series of meetings from the Ministry of Employment up to the Council of State having engaged them on issues concerning teachers,” he said.
He noted that the breakthrough came following firm commitments from state authorities and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to address the outlined concerns.
“Having given us some assurances from their end to ensure that… and having come here to also conclude matters with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, we want to announce to you that the strike, we’ve called it off today,” Mr. Musah stated.
He further directed union members to prepare for a full return to duties whilst dialogue continues over the remaining unresolved items.
“We suspend it today… and we are by this asking all teachers to go to work effective Monday as we continue with the negotiation regarding the outstanding issues,” he added.
The industrial action, which lasted three weeks, was initiated by the pre-tertiary unions to demand improved conditions of service and push the government into fulfilling past agreements.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana