Ghana: Teachers to launch indefinite nationwide strike December 9

Event

The three top teachers’ unions in Ghana are planning to launch a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, December 9. Leaders of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) announced the strike on Thursday, December 5, stating that teachers will remain on strike until the government pays salary arrears from 2012-2016. According to union leaders, the government’s Internal Audit Unit has approved payment for the legacy arrears, but the Ghana Education Service (GES) has blocked the money from being released. The GES claims that some of the teachers were paid arrears for the wrong rank or had no personal records on the payroll between 2012-2014. However, union leaders are rejecting the allegations and are demanding that the funds be released.

Associated protests by strike teachers are possible in the coming days. A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are possible in the vicinity any demonstrations.

Advice

Individuals in Ghana are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.