Ghana Teachers Win Major Relief as GNAT Announces GH¢3,100 Allowance and Pending Salary Adjustments

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has suspended its nationwide strike following engagements with the government and other stakeholders, including the Council of State, paving the way for teachers to resume classroom duties on Monday, October 12, 2026.

In a statement, the association directed members to return to work as negotiations continue, while urging the government to honour commitments made during discussions aimed at addressing teachers’ outstanding concerns and improving working conditions.

GNAT announced that more than 51,000 teachers who had received promotions would be placed on their appropriate salary scales. The association expects the affected teachers to receive their arrears and October salaries by October 16, 2026.

According to the statement, the necessary inputs have already been made and are awaiting validation. The promised payments are expected to address concerns among teachers who have been waiting for their financial benefits following promotions.

The association also disclosed progress in negotiations over a collective agreement, including an increase in the Cost of Professional Allowance to GH¢3,100, tax-free. Payment of the revised allowance is expected to begin in December 2026.

Additionally, the Complimentary Digital Support Allowance has been increased to GH¢1,100, tax-free, with payment expected by the end of November 2026. However, GNAT noted that negotiations on the collective agreement remained inconclusive.

On allowances for teachers working in disadvantaged areas, the association said an agreement had been reached in principle to provide budgetary allocations in the 2027 national budget. Payments are expected to begin in January 2027, initially covering teachers serving island communities and hinterlands.

GNAT said the agreement’s implementation procedures would be finalised with the Ghana Education Service once the collective agreement document was completed. It also thanked its members, officers and executives for their solidarity during the industrial action.

Meanwhile, former Lawra Member of Parliament Anthony Karbo has alleged that a possible political rivalry between Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson could be complicating efforts to address challenges in Ghana’s education sector.

Karbo suggested that the two ministers’ reported presidential ambitions within the National Democratic Congress could influence their working relationship, particularly because their ministries must cooperate closely on education funding and policy implementation.

He argued that the Education Minister’s performance could affect his prospects of becoming the party’s flagbearer, while the Finance Minister controls a critical part of the budgetary process required to support educational programmes.

“If the Education Minister does well, it brightens his chances. The same person who’s supposed to help him succeed is also looking to brighten his chances,” Karbo said.

His comments have raised questions about whether political competition could undermine cooperation between government ministries. However, the allegations do not establish that rivalry between the ministers is responsible for the difficulties facing the education sector.

The sector continues to grapple with concerns surrounding funding, infrastructure, teaching materials and policy implementation. Addressing these challenges requires effective coordination between the Education and Finance ministries, alongside adequate resources and accountability.

Neither minister’s response to Karbo’s specific allegations was included in the information available for this report. Their alleged political ambitions should therefore be distinguished from established facts about the causes of the sector’s difficulties.

As teachers prepare to return to classrooms, attention will focus on whether the government fulfils its financial commitments within the announced timelines. The implementation of the promised allowances and salary adjustments will be crucial in determining whether the suspension leads to lasting progress.

GNAT’s decision offers a temporary opening for dialogue, but the unresolved collective agreement means further negotiations remain necessary. Meanwhile, Karbo’s allegations underscore the importance of cooperation among government officials as Ghana seeks sustainable solutions to its education challenges.

Gilberto1261 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com