The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has issued a final ultimatum to the government, demanding full implementation of the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) arbitral award by the end of October 2025 or risk a nationwide strike across all 46 Colleges of Education.
In a statement dated October 27, 2025, CETAG accused the government of persistently failing to honour the binding arbitral decision issued by the NLC on May 2, 2023. The award sought to resolve long-standing concerns over compensation and allowances for tutors at the nation’s colleges of education.
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According to the association, the government has yet to pay arrears for the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance, despite a formal agreement with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in April this year. CETAG added that these arrears were to be paid alongside the 2024/2025 allowance but have been “inexplicably delayed.”
The group also described as “disturbing” the government’s failure to pay the top-up of the 2022 Book and Research Allowance to staff of the Akrokerri College of Education, despite repeated assurances.
CETAG further highlighted unresolved issues before the NLC, including compensation for All-Year-Round Work undertaken by staff of 39 Colleges of Education in 2022, the downgrading of experienced staff, and the non-payment of 2022/2023 Book and Research Allowance arrears linked to CETAG’s migration onto the university salary structure.
The association argued that these delays amount to a breach of trust and disregard for labour laws, insisting that the NLC’s arbitral award is legally binding and must be implemented in full.
CETAG warned that if the government fails to fulfil all outstanding obligations by October 31, 2025, it will “advise itself.” It further indicated that November 7, 2025, will be treated as the official date for declaring a nationwide industrial action.
“This industrial action will remain in force until the last pesewa owed to CETAG is paid,” the statement stressed.
The association urged the government to act urgently to prevent disruptions to the 2025/2026 academic calendar, warning that continued inaction could jeopardise teaching and learning across the colleges.
The statement was jointly signed by CETAG National President, Mr. Maxwell Bunu, and National Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Kamaayi.