The Ghana Education Service (GES) has set Monday, October 5, 2026, as the deadline for submitting the required documents to help resolve the ongoing teacher payment dispute in Ghana.
The GES says it is working closely with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) to address the payment challenges and ensure affected teachers receive their outstanding payments.
GES Says Teachers’ Payments Are the Priority
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, GES Head of Public Relations Daniel Fenyi said the immediate priority should be resolving the payment issue rather than engaging in a blame exercise.
He stressed that affected teachers need their money and said the GES is focused on working with the relevant institutions to resolve the matter.
Mr Fenyi explained that teacher unions generally view the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Controller and Accountant General’s Department as part of one government team during negotiations.
He therefore described the emergence of blame over the payment issue as unfortunate.
Education Minister Meets Teacher Unions
According to Mr Fenyi, the Minister of Education met representatives of the teacher unions on Monday and provided assurances regarding efforts to resolve the payment challenges.
He said the minister directed the GES to collaborate with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department and provide the documentation required to process the affected payments.
The documents include input forms, promotion letters and other relevant records needed to complete the payment process.
About 60,000 Teaching Staff Affected
Mr Fenyi clarified that the figures being discussed cover both teaching and non-teaching staff.
He said the number of affected teaching personnel is estimated at approximately 59,000 to 60,000 teachers.
The GES had initially believed that some of the affected teachers could be processed through automatic placement, based on the circumstances and the outcome of the August 31 meeting and agreement.
However, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department maintained that the required input forms were essential for processing the payments.
GES Working Around the Clock
The GES Public Relations Head said officials at the Service’s headquarters are working extended hours to meet the revised deadline.
He explained that staff were still working at the GES headquarters to complete the necessary documentation and support the payment process.
Mr Fenyi assured teachers that the Service is working collaboratively with teacher unions and other stakeholders to resolve the matter.
October 5 Deadline Confirmed
Mr Fenyi clarified that the 4 p.m. deadline being discussed does not apply to Monday, September 28, but rather to Monday, October 5, 2026.
He assured affected teachers that the GES is committed to meeting the revised deadline, noting that the Service has previously worked under pressure to meet important deadlines.
He said GES officials will continue working around the clock to address teachers’ concerns and ensure they can return to the classroom.
GES Seeks to Protect Ghana’s Academic Calendar
The GES also expressed concern that the ongoing payment dispute should not disrupt Ghana’s academic calendar.
Mr Fenyi said the Service has worked to stabilise the academic schedule and does not want the current situation to cause further disruption.
He reiterated the GES commitment to resolving the payment issue while prioritising teachers’ welfare and uninterrupted teaching and learning in Ghanaian schools.
Source: newsthemegh.com