The Ghana Education Service (GES) says outstanding promotion arrears owed to staff promoted in 2025 will be paid on November 16, 2026. The announcement came in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The new date follows engagements between GES and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), which runs the government payroll. GES says it is working with the CAGD to make sure affected staff receive their money by that date.
The statement came only hours after Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told JoyNews that about 28,000 teachers had not yet received their promotion arrears, while about 52,000 had been paid. GhanaTrends earlier reported that 28,000 teachers could miss their promotion arrears in the October salary as the minister called an emergency meeting with teacher unions.
Why the promotion arrears payment was delayed
According to GES, the delay was caused by the closure of the CAGD payment system to process October salaries. The closure happened at the same time the inputs needed for the outstanding arrears were due to be entered.
The payment system is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, so that the required inputs can be processed.
GES management “expressed regret over the delay and the inconvenience caused to affected staff,” the statement said.
GES promises to fix October 16 payment discrepancies
GES also says that “discrepancies identified in payments made on October 16, 2026, would be rectified accordingly.”
Some teachers who received arrears in mid-October had raised concerns about the amounts paid. GES did not say how many staff were affected by the discrepancies.
Regional Directors have been directed to inform all staff who are still waiting for their arrears.
Teacher promotion arrears in figures
Here is how the payments stand based on official statements and the minister’s remarks:
- Promoted teachers expected: about 80,000, according to the CAGD
- Paid by mid-October (CAGD): 56,003 – 6,278 in September and 49,725 on October 15 with October salaries
- Paid, according to the Education Minister: about 52,000
- Still unpaid, according to the minister: about 28,000
- Previous payment deadline: October 16, 2026
- New payment date: November 16, 2026
In an October 17 statement, the CAGD said GES had submitted documents for 56,633 teachers, with 630 cases pending over verification issues. It said documents for the remaining teachers had not yet been submitted by GES. You can read the full GES announcement report on MyJoyOnline.
Background: the teachers’ strike over promotion arrears
Unpaid promotion arrears were one of the main reasons for the nationwide strike declared by GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG from September 25, 2026.
The unions said teachers who passed the December 2025 and February 2026 promotion exams had not been moved to their new salary levels, with arrears owed from January 2026. They also raised the expired collective agreement and the Deprived Area Allowance.
Government and the unions later agreed on an October 16 deadline for payments, and teachers returned to the classroom. The new November date means a group of promoted teachers will wait another month.
What the November 16 date means for teachers
Teachers promoted in 2025 who have not yet been paid should expect their arrears on November 16, if the inputs are processed after the CAGD system reopens.
Teachers who were paid on October 16 but noticed wrong amounts can expect corrections, according to GES. Staff are advised to follow updates from their Regional and District Directors.
What happens next
The CAGD payment system reopens on October 28 for GES to enter the outstanding arrears data. Payment is then expected on November 16.
The Education Minister has also called teacher unions to a meeting on the matter. The unions have not yet publicly responded to the new date.
Summary of the story
- GES says outstanding 2025 promotion arrears will be paid on November 16, 2026.
- The statement was issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- The delay was caused by the closure of the CAGD payment system for October salaries.
- The system reopens on Wednesday, October 28, for inputs to be made.
- Discrepancies in October 16 payments will be corrected.
- About 28,000 teachers are still unpaid, per Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu.
- Regional Directors have been told to inform affected staff.
Possible FAQs on the story
When will GES pay outstanding promotion arrears?
GES says outstanding promotion arrears for staff promoted in 2025 will be paid on November 16, 2026.
Why were some teachers not paid promotion arrears in October?
GES says the Controller and Accountant-General’s payment system was closed for October salary processing when the arrears inputs were due, so they could not be entered in time.
How many teachers are still owed promotion arrears?
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said about 28,000 teachers had not been paid, while about 52,000 had received their arrears.
In summary, GES has moved the payment of outstanding 2025 promotion arrears to November 16, 2026, blaming the timing of the CAGD’s October salary processing. It has apologised to affected staff, promised to fix errors in the October 16 payments and asked Regional Directors to keep teachers informed while unions await the minister’s meeting.
