Thomas Tanko Musah is the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah, has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to intervene immediately to prevent possible industrial unrest following delays in the payment of November 2025 salaries to all Government of Ghana workers.
According to him, teachers are angry and upset about the delay in paying the CPD allowance, describing the mood among teachers as deeply troubling.
On November 25, 2025, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department announced that the allowance would not be paid as scheduled, citing a technical challenge that has forced a rescheduled payment date of December 18, 2025.
The CPD allowance — a benefit negotiated between teachers and the government several years ago — is enshrined in teachers’ collective agreement and conditions of service. Originally set at ₵1,200, it was later increased to ₵2,400.
The government released millions of cedis to pay the allowance in September 2024. Early this year, both the Ministry of Education and the GES assured teachers that the payment would be made again without delay.
Speaking to the media, General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Tanko Musah, said teachers are angry and upset about the delay in paying the CPD allowance, as they feel betrayed by the sudden change.
“Last year it was paid in September, and this year it was supposed to be paid this month. Everything has been done — validation has been done — and when the validation was completed, there was an indication that the allowances would be paid,” he said.
“Then only yesterday it came to our attention that there was a technical problem at a point in time. We had already communicated to members that the monies would be paid in November.”
He added that the situation has placed union leaders in a difficult position.
“Now the implication is that we have lied to them that the allowances would be paid in November — and since yesterday till now, it has not been easy.”
Musah is calling on the Minister of Education to step in quickly to defuse the growing tension.
“Both the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should respond to this difficult situation as soon as possible. The Minister gives policy direction, and the GES is the employer. Teachers want to hear from them on exactly what the issues are,” he stressed.