The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured striking teachers across Ghana that the government will settle outstanding teacher promotion arrears by October 30, 2026.
The Education Minister said the government acknowledges its responsibility as an employer to ensure that teachers receive all payments owed to them, including financial arrears resulting from promotions.
Haruna Iddrisu Assures Teachers Over Outstanding Arrears
Haruna Iddrisu gave the assurance during a two-day symposium and exhibition organised by the National Teaching Council (NTC) for teachers at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall in Accra.
Addressing participants, the Education Minister said government had accepted responsibility for meeting its financial obligations to teachers and would take steps to clear the outstanding promotion arrears.
He assured teachers that the payments would be made and set October 30 as the deadline for settling the arrears.
The announcement is expected to ease concerns among teachers who have been demanding payment of outstanding financial obligations linked to promotions and other conditions of service.
Teacher Promotion Arrears Trigger Nationwide Strike
The issue of teacher promotion arrears in Ghana has remained a major concern within the pre-tertiary education sector.
Teacher unions have repeatedly called on government to clear outstanding payments owed to their members, arguing that delays in payment have created financial difficulties and frustration among affected teachers.
The latest government assurance follows industrial action declared by three major teacher unions over the outstanding arrears.
The Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) announced a nationwide strike on September 25 to demand payment of arrears owed to their members.
Teacher Unions Demand Payment of Outstanding Arrears
The unions have maintained that the continued delay in paying teachers’ promotion arrears has affected their members and have urged the government to take concrete steps to resolve the matter.
With the Education Minister now committing the government to a October 30 deadline, teachers and their unions will be watching closely to see whether the outstanding payments are fully settled.
The development remains a significant issue for Ghana’s pre-tertiary education sector, particularly as government and teacher unions continue discussions over remuneration, promotions and other conditions of service.
Source: newsthemegh.com