Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Convenes Emergency Meeting as Teacher Unions Launch Nationwide Strike

The Ministry of Education has summoned the leadership of Ghana’s three major pre-tertiary teacher unions to an emergency meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, in a bid to end an indefinite nationwide strike. The industrial action, which began on September 25, involves the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG). Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu is expected to lead negotiations to address a suite of unresolved grievances, most notably unpaid promotion arrears and the failure to finalize a new Collective Agreement.

Central to the unions' frustrations is the non-payment of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance, a benefit intended to incentivize educators working in hard-to-reach regions. King Ali Awudu, President of PRETAG, highlighted that while this allowance was proposed as far back as 2009, it remains unimplemented despite recent assurances from the administration of President John Mahama. The unions argue that the lack of this allowance, combined with hazardous travel conditions and the absence of automatic salary adjustments for promoted staff, has left teachers in remote areas particularly vulnerable. The Minority in Parliament has joined these calls, urging the government to ensure that all promoted teachers receive their salary adjustments retroactively from January 2026.

The strike has also drawn sharp commentary from civil society and internal union advocates. Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, suggested that the unions should direct their pressure toward the Ghana Education Service (GES), blaming administrative delays within the service for the backlog in promotional letters and salary adjustments. Concurrently, educator Tabi Addo Godfred, popularly known as Teacher Tiawa, warned that the current division among teacher unions could undermine their collective bargaining power. He argued that a unified front is essential to securing lasting solutions rather than temporary concessions that lead to recurring strikes.

As the meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other stakeholders approaches, the Ministry of Education has expressed deep concern regarding the strike's impact on the academic calendar. Press Secretary Hasmin Mohammed emphasized that the government remains committed to direct engagement to resolve the dispute and minimize further disruptions to student learning. The outcome of Monday’s negotiations will be critical in determining whether schools can reopen promptly or if the standoff between the state and its educators will intensify.