Public schools nationwide will resume normal operations on Monday, October 12, 2026. This follows the suspension of a two-week nationwide strike by teacher unions on Friday. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) made this decision after meetings.
The strike began on September 25, leaving many parents and students in uncertainty. The suspension brings much-needed relief to those affected.
Weeks of tension preceded this decision, with several mediation attempts failing. Previous meetings between state officials and union leaders did not yield results. Union executives had instructed members to stay home due to unmet government assurances.
Friday’s breakthrough came after extensive diplomatic efforts. These efforts started at the Ministry of Labour and included closed-door discussions led by former Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho. The final session took place at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
A joint communiqué formalized the resolution. It was signed by representatives from the FWSC, Ghana Education Service (GES), and all three teacher unions.
The signed agreement provides clear timelines for payments:
– Promotion Placement Arrears: An initial group of 51,000 teachers will receive back pay by October 16, 2026. All remaining staff are scheduled for full payment by October 31, 2026.
– Digital Instruction Support Allowance: Negotiations concluded with payouts set for November 2026.
– Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Allowance: Final terms were agreed upon, with disbursements planned for December 2026.
– Deprived Area Allowance: The government will implement full modalities in January 2027.
Union leaders emphasized that their return to work is conditional. They warned that any failure to meet payment deadlines will lead to an immediate resumption of the strike.
Both parties confirmed ongoing dialogue to address remaining conditions of service.
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