Ghana Teachers’ Strike: Latest Update on Arrears, New Proposals & Return to School
Ghana Teachers’ Strike Continues as Unions Reject a Quick Return to Class
Ghana’s nationwide teachers’ strike is continuing, with the three major pre-tertiary teacher unions maintaining pressure on government to resolve outstanding issues over promotion arrears, salary placement and working conditions.
The latest negotiations between government and the unions ended without a final agreement on Friday, October 2, despite what the government described as new and improved proposals.
The unions are expected to consider the proposals, but NAGRAT has indicated that teachers will not return to the classroom simply on the basis of verbal assurances.
Why are Ghanaian teachers on strike?
The nationwide industrial action was declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) on September 25, 2026.
The unions cited three major concerns:
- Delays in placing promoted teachers on their new salary levels
- Outstanding promotion-related arrears
- The failure to conclude negotiations on a new Collective Agreement
- The non-implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance
The unions have maintained that the issues have remained unresolved despite several engagements with government.
What is the latest on the teachers’ strike?
The latest high-level meeting between government and the teacher unions ended inconclusively on Friday.
Government presented what it described as new and improved proposals aimed at resolving the issues and getting teachers back into the classroom.
However, the unions are expected to meet and consider the proposals before taking a decision on whether to suspend the strike.
NAGRAT Vice President Jacob Anaba said teachers would not return to work until the outstanding concerns are addressed with concrete commitments.
According to him, the unions want government commitments to be backed by formal agreements before calling off the industrial action.
What is happening with teachers’ promotion arrears?
Promotion arrears remain one of the biggest issues behind the strike.
The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department previously said the Ghana Education Service had submitted information for only 6,079 of 58,620 expected promotion cases at the time of its September update.
CAGD said all 6,079 valid cases submitted to it had been processed and paid, including arrears dating from January 1, 2026.
It explained that the remaining cases could not be processed until the required documentation was submitted and validated.
The unions, however, say the number of affected teachers is much larger and continue to demand that promoted teachers be placed on their appropriate salary levels and paid their outstanding arrears.
How many teachers are affected?
The numbers being discussed have changed as government and the unions have worked through the records.
Greater Accra teacher union leaders said on October 3 that only a little over 6,000 of about 80,000 promoted teachers had been placed on their new salary levels.
The unions are demanding that the remaining eligible teachers also receive the appropriate placement and payments.
The difference between the figures being cited reflects the various stages of the verification and payroll process.
What has government promised?
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has repeatedly appealed to the unions to call off the strike, saying government will honour its commitments.
He has particularly highlighted the government’s commitment to address the promotion arrears and placement of promoted teachers.
On October 3, he also said he would have no honour if the outstanding arrears were not addressed by October 30.
Government has also proposed the implementation of a 20% Deprived Area Allowance from January 2027, subject to the ongoing validation and discussions with the unions.
What are teachers saying?
The teacher unions have made it clear that they want more than promises before returning to the classroom.
NAGRAT says the unions have been engaging government for months and want commitments to be formalised before the strike is called off.
The Greater Accra leadership of GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG also reaffirmed their support for the ongoing industrial action on October 3.
Will teachers return to school soon?
There is currently no confirmed date for teachers to return to the classroom.
The government wants the strike called off and has presented proposals for consideration.
The unions, meanwhile, are expected to deliberate on those proposals before deciding whether the conditions have been met.
That means the situation could change after the unions’ next meeting.
What does the teachers’ strike mean for schools?
The strike is taking place early in the new academic year and has raised concerns about disruption to Ghana’s school calendar.
The Ghana Education Service has warned that prolonged industrial action could affect efforts to maintain a stable and predictable academic calendar.
The Service has therefore appealed to the unions to reconsider the strike while negotiations continue.
Ghana teachers’ strike latest update
For now, the key points are:
- Strike status: Ongoing
- Main unions: GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG
- Strike began: September 25, 2026
- Main dispute: Promotion arrears and salary placement
- Other issues: Collective Agreement and Deprived Area Allowance
- Latest government-union meeting: Ended without a final agreement
- Government position: It wants teachers to return and says it will honour its commitments
- Union position: More concrete and formal commitments are required
- Next step: Unions will consider government’s latest proposals
What happens next?
The immediate focus is on the teacher unions’ consideration of the latest proposals from government.
If the proposals satisfy the unions, the strike could be suspended and teachers could return to the classroom.
If the unions remain dissatisfied, the industrial action could continue.
For teachers waiting for promotion arrears and salary placement, the next round of discussions will therefore be particularly important.
GH Gossip24 will update this story as new information emerges from government and the teacher unions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are teachers in Ghana on strike?
Teachers are striking over outstanding promotion arrears and salary placement, negotiations for a new Collective Agreement and the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.
Which teacher unions are on strike?
The three major pre-tertiary teacher unions involved are GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG.
When did the Ghana teachers’ strike start?
The nationwide strike began on September 25, 2026.
Have teachers called off the strike?
No. As of October 3, 2026, the strike remains ongoing while the unions consider government’s latest proposals.
When will teachers receive their promotion arrears?
Government has said it is working to process outstanding promotion cases and pay eligible arrears, but the timing depends on the submission and validation of the required records.
Will teachers return to school on Monday?
There is no confirmed return date yet. The unions are expected to consider government’s latest proposals before deciding whether to suspend the strike.
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