The three teacher unions — 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 industrial action effective Friday, September 25, 2026.
The strike follows the government’s failure to resolve outstanding issues concerning the payment of promotion allowances and arrears owed to teachers.
The unions had given the government until midday on Thursday, September 24, 2026, to address their concerns, but say the deadline passed without resolution.
Why the Unions Are Striking
In a joint statement dated September 25, the unions cited three major grievances:
The delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement
The failure to automatically place newly promoted teachers on the appropriate salary scales
The non-implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance
“In light of the above circumstances and given the delays, unfulfilled promises on the part of the duty bearers and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), as well as threats by the rank-and-file of our members, we, the teacher unions, do stand with our members and hereby declare a nationwide industrial action (Strike), effective today, Friday, 25th September 2026,” the statement said.
Expired Collective Agreement
According to the unions, the existing Collective Agreement has expired, while negotiations for a new agreement — which they say should have been completed by June 2026 — remain outstanding.
They noted that the matter has been raised with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on several occasions, but is yet to be resolved.
Promotion Arrears Demand
The teacher unions are also demanding the automatic placement of teachers who successfully passed the promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 onto their respective salary scales, including the payment of arrears effective January 2026.
They said the failure to implement this arrangement has created tension and anger among their members.
Deprived Area Allowance
On the Deprived Area Allowance, the unions referenced provisions in the 2024 Collective Agreement requiring the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to review the Deprived Area Report for implementation, after which the unions and the FWSC would negotiate the applicable figures.
However, they said this process has not been completed.
The unions further expressed concern over what they described as a failure to honour a directive on incentives for teachers working in deprived and hard-to-reach areas.
Growing Frustration Among Members
The unions said the outstanding issues have resulted in “widespread disaffection, anger, and disillusionment” among their members, leaving them with no option but to embark on the industrial action.
By Gifty Boateng