Teacher unions in the Eastern Region have defended the ongoing strike by teachers, citing unresolved concerns over their collective agreement, promotion-related salary adjustments, and the implementation of a 20% Deprived Area Allowance.
The Eastern Regional leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Graduate Association of Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) made their position known at a press conference held at the GNAT Hall in Koforidua on October 2, 2026.
According to the unions, the strike action declared on September 25, 2026, has resulted in teachers staying out of the classrooms while their concerns remain unresolved.
Isaac Adjei, Eastern Regional Chairman of PRETAG, speaking at the press conference, said one of their major concerns was the delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement, which they said should have been completed by June 2026. They argued that the expiration of the existing agreement has created uncertainty about the conditions under which teachers are currently working.
He also raised concerns about teachers who passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026, but have not been automatically placed on their new ranks. He said this has affected the payment of corresponding salaries and retrospective arrears.
Eastern Regional Secretary for GNAT, Boadu Anim William, on his part, said another major issue highlighted by the teacher unions was the non-implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance.
He explained that teachers posted to underserved and remote areas have made sacrifices to serve in those communities and should therefore receive the allowance.
He expressed concern over what the unions described as delays involving the Employer, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department in addressing the issues.
The regional teacher unions said they continue to support the decision of their national leadership to sustain the strike until their concerns are addressed and their expectations are met.
They maintained that the strike would continue, stating that “teachers deserve their due” and calling for the outstanding issues to be resolved.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com /Nhyiraba Solomon Narety
