Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu is meeting leaders of Ghana’s three main pre-tertiary teacher unions today, Monday, September 28, 2026, in a bid to end the nationwide strike the unions declared on Friday, September 25.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) laid down their tools with immediate effect over unpaid promotion arrears, delayed salary placement for promoted teachers and stalled talks on a new Collective Agreement.
The Ministry of Education says the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) will also be at the table, since several of the issues fall outside the ministry’s direct control.
The outcome of today’s talks is expected to decide whether classrooms in public basic and senior high schools reopen for teaching this week.
Why GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG declared the teachers’ strike
In a joint statement, the unions said the strike followed “prolonged delays, unfulfilled commitments and growing frustration over issues affecting teachers.”
Their main demands, as reported by multiple outlets, are:
- New Collective Agreement: Negotiations on a new agreement for teachers, which were expected to be completed by June 2026, have stalled.
- Promotion placement: Automatic placement of teachers who passed promotion exams in December 2025 and February 2026 on their new salary levels.
- Promotion arrears: Payment of arrears for promoted teachers, effective January 2026.
- Deprived Area Allowance: Implementation of the allowance for teachers serving in deprived and hard-to-reach communities.
Education Ministry’s response to the teacher unions’ strike
Ministry of Education Press Secretary Hasmin Mohammed said the ministry was concerned about the action. “We are very worried about the strike action declared by the teacher unions,” he told 3News.
He said the minister had decided to meet the unions on Monday “to continue to pursue them to call off the strike,” according to Graphic Online.
Mr Mohammed also noted that some of the claims are long-standing. “These are arrears and liabilities that this current government has inherited but because government is a continuum, we cannot say…we will turn our back on it,” he said.
The ministry has stressed that the outstanding issues cannot be resolved by the Education Ministry alone, which is why the FWSC and CAGD, which handle salary structures and payroll, have been invited.
Who is attending the Education Ministry meeting today
- Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and officials of the Ministry of Education
- Leaders of GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG
- Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC)
- Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD)
The unions have signalled openness to talks. NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba told MyJoyOnline: “Our reason for raising the issues is to resolve them so if there is an avenue for us to resolve them, we will avail ourselves and make sure that we resolve the issues.”
What the teachers’ strike means for students and parents
The strike comes just weeks after students returned to school across all pre-tertiary levels for the new academic year.
The ministry has warned that a prolonged strike could undo recent gains in restoring the academic calendar, noting that significant work went into getting it back on track after earlier disruptions.
Parents are advised to follow official announcements from the unions and the Ministry of Education on whether teaching resumes this week.
The teachers’ action adds to a busy week of labour agitation, with ECG workers also set for a nationwide demonstration on September 29.
What happens next after the teacher unions meeting
If today’s meeting produces firm commitments, particularly on promotion placement, arrears and a timeline for the Collective Agreement, the unions may consider suspending the strike.
If not, the strike is expected to continue. The unions have not said how long they are prepared to stay off the classroom, and no official outcome of the meeting had been announced at the time of writing.
GhanaTrends will update this story once the unions or the ministry issue a statement.
Key details at a glance
- Unions on strike: GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG
- Strike began: Friday, September 25, 2026
- Meeting date: Monday, September 28, 2026
- Convened by: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu
- Other parties: Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Controller and Accountant-General’s Department
- Main demands: New Collective Agreement, promotion placement and arrears from January 2026, Deprived Area Allowance
- Status: Strike ongoing pending the outcome of talks
FAQs
Are teachers in Ghana on strike?
Yes. GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG declared a nationwide strike on Friday, September 25, 2026, and it remains in force pending talks with government on September 28.
Why are GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG on strike?
The unions want a new Collective Agreement, placement and arrears for teachers promoted after exams in December 2025 and February 2026, and implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.
When will the teachers’ strike be called off?
No date has been announced. The decision depends on the outcome of today’s meeting with the Education Minister, the FWSC and the CAGD.
Today’s meeting between Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and the three teacher unions is a key test of whether government can quickly address promotion arrears, salary placement and the delayed Collective Agreement. With schools only recently back in session, students, parents and teachers will be watching closely for a resolution that gets classrooms running again.
