Education Minister Meets Teacher Unions Over Strike Threat

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has held a crunch meeting with the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), other teacher unions, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to address issues that could lead to industrial action.

GNAT had given the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant authorities until September 7, 2026, to resolve concerns over promotion placements, career progression and the renewal of teachers’ Collective Agreement.

The union said delays in placing promoted teachers on their new ranks had caused financial difficulties, frustration and uncertainty among affected teachers.

GNAT had called on the GES, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and Public Services Commission (PSC) to speed up the process and ensure all outstanding promotion placements were implemented.

The union also raised concerns about the Directors II and Directors I ranks, which it said were still tied to the positions of District and Regional Directors. According to GNAT, this has limited career progression and caused stagnation within the Ghana Education Service.

Another major concern is the renewal of the teachers’ Collective Agreement, which expired on July 31, 2026. GNAT wants negotiations to be completed quickly to protect teachers’ working conditions and welfare.

The meeting with the Education Minister and other stakeholders is expected to help resolve the outstanding issues and prevent a possible strike.

GNAT has said it expects the concerns to be addressed by September 7, 2026, to avert industrial action.