By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), Oct. 10, GNA – Ms. Victoria Enyonam Klugah, the Kadjebi District Chairperson of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has urged teachers to return to the classrooms on October 12, following the suspension of their nationwide industrial action.
She said the decision to suspend the strike followed a series of engagements with relevant stakeholders, including the Council of State, which resulted in assurances on outstanding concerns raised by the association.
Ms. Klugah made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kadjebi in the Oti Region on Saturday, after sharing a statement from the national leadership of GNAT announcing the suspension of the strike.
She expressed profound appreciation to teachers for their solidarity, commitment and support throughout the industrial action.
“We wish to first thank each officer, executive, council, staff and member for the love, solidarity and support during the period of this strike action. We are because you are,” the statement said.
The national leadership said the suspension was pending the fulfilment of promises and assurances given during the engagements.
It said more than 51,000 teachers who had been promoted would be placed on the appropriate salary scales, with full arrears and their October salaries expected to be paid by October 16, 2026, subject to the validation of their records.
On the ongoing negotiations for a new collective agreement, the statement said key allowances had been adjusted.
It said the Cost of Professional Allowance (CPA) had been increased to GH¢3,100, tax-free, with payment expected to begin with the December 2026 salary.
The Complimentary Digital Support Allowance had also been increased to GH¢1,100, tax-free, and was expected to be paid by the end of November 2026.
The statement added that a procedural document outlining how teachers could access the benefits under the collective agreement would be finalised in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) after the negotiations were concluded.
On the Deprived Area Allowance, the national leadership said an agreement had been reached in principle for budgetary provision to be made in the 2027 national budget, with payments expected to commence in January 2027.
It said payments would initially cover teachers serving island and hinterland communities, with the programme to be expanded over time.
The leadership acknowledged that some issues remained unresolved but assured members of its commitment to addressing them and improving conditions within the teaching profession.
It therefore urged all teachers to resume their normal duties on Monday, October 12, 2026, while the association continued engagements with the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the commitments made.
The three teacher unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) – declared the industrial action on September 25, 2026.
The unions are demanding payment of salary arrears for teachers who were promoted but had not received the corresponding salaries, payment of the 20 per cent Deprived-Area teacher Allowance and the renewal of their Collective Agreement.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah