School Chaos: GNAT Demands Pay for Promoted Teachers, As Strike Paralyses Education

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has issued a strong demand to the government, insisting that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department must be authorised without delay to pay newly promoted teachers their appropriate salaries. The call comes amid an ongoing nationwide strike that has brought pre-tertiary education to a standstill.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, October 4, GNAT General Secretary Thomas Tanko Musah revealed that teacher unions were given firm assurances during negotiations that promoted teachers would not need to submit any additional documents before their salary adjustments took effect. Unfortunately, that promise remains unfulfilled, leaving thousands of deserving teachers in limbo.

Musah argued passionately that once the government approves salary payments, it bears full responsibility for ensuring the funds actually reach the affected teachers. He stressed a simple truth: teachers are employees of the government, not of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, which merely processes payments on the state’s behalf.

“If somebody has worked and is going to Controller to take his salary, and the person supposed to pay is refusing, then my employer owes me a duty of care to order that person to release the money,” he stated. “We didn’t work for Controller; we work for Government.”

The strike, declared on Friday, September 25, 2026, by GNAT, NAGRAT, and PRETAG, stems from grievances including the failure to automatically place promoted teachers on correct salary levels, delayed arrears, and the non-implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance.

While Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson have urged unions to call off the strike, teachers remain resolute. Until salaries and arrears are paid, the classrooms will stay empty.

Kojo Abam [email protected]