Newly trained teachers in Ghana have taken to the streets, picketing outside the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters to demand their overdue salaries and staff IDs.
The protest, which unfolded on Monday, June 23, 2025, saw hundreds of teachers from the 2022 batch of Colleges of Education graduates voicing their grievances over a staggering 10-month delay in salary payments. This situation has left many unable to afford basic necessities, sparking widespread concern about the state of teacher welfare in the country.
The teachers, appointed by GES on August 1, 2024, have been enduring financial hardship since then, with no resolution in sight. Their plight was vividly captured in a video shared by EDHUB on X, where one female teacher, visibly distressed, lamented her inability to pay bills or sustain herself. The video, which quickly gained traction, highlighted the emotional and economic toll on these educators, who are essential to the nation’s educational framework yet left unsupported by the very system they serve.
Ghanaian Teachers Protest 10-Month Salary Delay at GES Headquarters
“We would all sleep here today”
— Angry teachers from the 2022 batch of the Colleges of Education stage a protest at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters, demanding payment of their salaries after going 10 months without receiving salaries.
[🎥: quamiguymedia/Tiktok] pic.twitter.com/2geHWX3dl4— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) June 23, 2025
This protest is not an isolated incident but part of a recurring issue within Ghana’s education sector. The GES, established in 1974 and amended multiple times under various legislative acts, is tasked with overseeing the country’s educational institutions. However, recent administrative inefficiencies have led to significant delays in teacher postings and payments, affecting not only the 2022 batch but potentially future graduates as well. The 784 affected teachers represent just a fraction of the broader challenge facing Ghana’s public education system.
The demonstration escalated when teachers threatened to sleep on the GES premises, a move that prompted a forceful police response. This clash underscores the desperation of the teachers and the government’s struggle to address their demands promptly. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of current policies and the urgency needed to reform how teacher appointments and compensations are handled within GES.
Public reaction on social media has been one of sympathy and outrage, with many calling for immediate action from the government. Comments on the X thread ranged from expressions of solidarity to criticisms of the systemic failures that allow such situations to persist. The average teacher salary in Ghana, estimated at GHS 2,588 per month, is already low, and the delay in payments exacerbates the financial strain, making it nearly impossible for teachers to survive without additional income sources.
As the protest continues, there is growing pressure on the Ghanaian government to resolve this crisis. The teachers’ demand for their rightful earnings is not just a call for personal relief but a plea for systemic change to ensure that educators are valued and supported. The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for how future grievances are handled, potentially influencing educational policy and teacher welfare programs across the nation.
In the meantime, the teachers remain resolute, their voices echoing a urgent need for action. The Ghana Education Service, a cornerstone of the country’s public service, now faces a critical test of its ability to uphold the rights and dignity of those who dedicate their lives to educating the next generation. As the nation watches, the hope is that this protest will not only end the current impasse but also spark a broader dialogue on improving the conditions for teachers in Ghana.
