Three teacher unions have declared a nationwide strike effective today, Friday, September 25, 2026, over what they describe as unresolved issues affecting teachers’ conditions of service.
The unions are the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG).
In a joint statement, the unions said the unresolved issues had created “widespread disaffection, anger, and disillusionment” among teachers, culminating in their decision to embark on industrial action.
One of their major concerns is the delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement.
The unions said the existing agreement has expired, while negotiations for a new agreement, which they expected to have been completed by June 2026, remain unresolved.
“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.
They described the prolonged delay as unacceptable, noting that the matter had remained outstanding for several months.
Failure to place promoted teachers
The unions also raised concerns over the failure to automatically place newly promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales.
According to the unions, an agreement between the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service (MoE/GES) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) to automatically place two cohorts of teachers who sat for aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026 has not been implemented.
They said the affected teachers successfully completed their respective salary-scale assessments and were expecting arrears dating back to January 2026.
However, the unions said the failure to implement the arrangement has created tension and anger among teachers.
Deprived area allowance
Another major concern raised by the unions is the failure to implement the Deprived Area Allowance.
The unions said the 2024 Collective Agreement requires the Ghana Education Service (GES) to review the Deprived Area Report before implementation, after which negotiations are to be held with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
They accused the FWSC of disregarding the provision in the Collective Agreement and also cited a 2024 ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLC) directing the payment of a 20 per cent allowance on the basic salary of teachers working in deprived areas.
The unions said the failure to resolve the outstanding issues had left them with no option but to declare the industrial action.
The statement was signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba, and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu.
The unions said the strike is intended to press home their demands and urged the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to address the outstanding issues.
