In a major breakthrough for thousands of newly posted teachers across Ghana, the government has officially approved the absorption and back pay of 6,200 teachers who have worked for over eight months without receiving their salaries. This development comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to address the long-standing salary arrears affecting newly recruited educators under the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Background: Months of Unpaid Work and Mounting Frustration
For more than a year, many graduate teachers—particularly those posted in 2022—have endured significant financial hardship after working for up to 13 months without pay. The affected teachers, drawn from both Colleges of Education and university backgrounds, have continuously appealed to the government to release their outstanding salaries and regularize their employment.
The growing frustration among these educators culminated in a peaceful protest on Tuesday, September 30, where hundreds of teachers marched from Obra Spot near Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the Jubilee House. Their demonstration aimed to demand swift government action on what they described as an “unacceptable labour practice.”
Government Responds: Minister Promises Swift Action
Receiving the teachers’ petition on behalf of the government, Minister of Education Hon. Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged the legitimacy of their grievances, describing the delay as “an unacceptable labour practice.” He assured the affected educators that the Ministry of Education was taking concrete steps to resolve the issue once and for all.
“I will walk the talk on this matter. No teacher should work for over a year without pay—it is unfair and unacceptable anywhere,” the Minister emphasized.
Mr. Iddrisu revealed that he had already met with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on September 23 to discuss the matter. The meeting resulted in the drafting of a joint cabinet memorandum aimed at expediting the payment of all outstanding arrears and regularizing teacher postings under the GES.
Cabinet Approval and Disbursement Plan
The latest update indicates that Cabinet has officially approved the absorption and payment of salary arrears for 6,200 teachers who have served for more than eight months without compensation. This approval marks a crucial first step in clearing the backlog of salaries and ensuring that teachers are fully integrated into the government payroll system.
According to government sources, the Ministries of Education and Finance are finalizing the payment modalities to ensure that the affected teachers receive their due salaries as quickly as possible. The move is expected to bring much-needed financial relief to the teachers who have dedicated months of service despite the lack of remuneration.
Future Recruitment Plans
Beyond addressing the arrears issue, Minister Haruna Iddrisu also announced plans to recruit 53,000 new teachers into the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. This recruitment drive is expected to bolster the teaching workforce, enhance education delivery, and reduce the workload on existing staff.
Teachers Remain Hopeful but Cautious
While many educators have welcomed the Cabinet’s approval as a positive step forward, some remain cautious due to previous delays and unmet commitments. Lead convener of the protesting teachers, Simon Kofi Nartey, urged the government to ensure timely disbursement of the funds and transparent communication throughout the process.
“We are encouraged by the announcement, but we will only believe it when the payments hit our accounts. We’ve waited long enough,” he remarked.
Conclusion
The Cabinet’s approval of the absorption and back pay of 6,200 teachers represents a significant milestone in resolving one of the education sector’s most pressing challenges. As the Ministries of Education and Finance move toward implementation, thousands of teachers across Ghana are hopeful that this marks the beginning of a fairer and more efficient system of teacher remuneration.
Affected educators are advised to stay tuned to the official communication channels of the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for further updates on payment schedules and recruitment processes.
Stay connected for more verified updates on teacher arrears payments, recruitment news, and education sector reforms.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
