GES Appeals to Teachers to Call Off Ongoing Strike

The industrial action was launched on September 25, 2026, by three major pre-tertiary 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).

The union leadership declared the strike to press home demands regarding the payment of outstanding promotion arrears, delayed negotiations for a new Collective Agreement, and the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance, alongside other unresolved welfare concerns.

Occurring less than two weeks into the start of the new school term, the strike threatens to halt academic progress across public pre-tertiary institutions nationwide.

Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Director-General of the GES, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, emphasized that the strike poses a direct risk to the newly stabilized academic calendar.

Highlighting the significant milestone achieved this term, Professor Davis stated,

For the first time in approximately six years, we have reached a point where students across the various levels of our education system have reported to school within September. This did not happen by accident. It was achieved through hard work.

He explained that a synchronized academic calendar provides essential predictability for parents, teachers, and school administrators, allowing families and institutions to plan effectively around set timelines.

To resolve the impasse, the GES management is actively collaborating with key state bodies, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.

Professor Davis urged the striking unions to return to the classroom while inter-agency engagements continue.

Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to addressing teacher welfare, he cited ongoing administrative efforts such as the mechanization of promotions to improve working conditions.

Appealing for mutual cooperation, Professor Davis noted,

We wish to associate ourselves therefore with the Ministry of Education’s appeal to teachers to rescind their decision as we work hard to address their issues.

He underscored that while challenges remain, safeguarding the stability of Ghana's educational system must be treated as a shared responsibility.

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The ongoing strike by GNAT, NAGRAT, and PRETAG highlights the pressing need to address teacher welfare while preserving the integrity of Ghana's academic timeline.

As inter-ministerial engagements proceed to address promotion arrears and allowance disputes, stakeholders across the country remain hopeful for a swift resolution that brings teachers back to the classroom.