Teacher unions in the Ashanti Region have declared that their members will not return to the classroom until the government provides verifiable evidence of payment of outstanding promotion-related salary arrears.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) insist that assurances from the government are no longer enough to justify suspending the ongoing nationwide strike.
Addressing a joint press conference in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of GNAT, Daniel Atakora, said any decision by the unions’ national leadership to call off the industrial action must be supported by proof that affected teachers have received their outstanding payments.
“Any decision to call off the strike must be backed by evidence of payment to affected teachers. We are waiting for bank alerts,” he said.
According to the unions, teachers have already made concessions concerning some months of salary arrears and are unwilling to accept further delays in implementing agreements reached with the government.
Beyond the outstanding payments, the unions identified the delayed placement of promoted teachers, the expired collective agreement and the non-implementation of the deprived-area allowance as major concerns behind the industrial action.
They demanded the immediate placement of teachers who passed the December 2025 and February 2026 promotion examinations on their appropriate salary grades, with corresponding arrears paid from January 2026.
On conditions of service, the unions expressed concern that negotiations for a new collective agreement, which were expected to have been concluded by June 2026, remain unresolved.
They consequently called for a clear and time-bound roadmap to finalise and implement the agreement.
The unions also renewed demands for the implementation of the deprived-area allowance to support teachers working in rural and underserved communities.
They argued that the allowance was necessary to encourage teachers to accept postings and remain in schools located in deprived areas.
The Ashanti Regional teacher unions further raised concerns about excessive workloads, administrative responsibilities and the general welfare of teachers.
They called for a review of unnecessary reporting requirements, improved scheduling of meetings and professional development activities, and the provision of accessible counselling services for teachers.
Mr Atakora acknowledged recent engagements between the government and the unions but maintained that the discussions must translate into concrete action.
“Teachers require implementation, not further assurances,” he stressed.
The unions urged the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to provide transparent and verifiable records of teacher placements and outstanding payments.
They also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene to ensure that commitments made to teachers are honoured.
The unions maintained that the industrial action would continue until their outstanding concerns were satisfactorily addressed and their national leadership issued further directives.
“Promises have been made and the lines have been crossed. The time for concrete action is now,” Mr Atakora said.
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