Public basic schools across Ghana have resumed normal academic activities today, Monday, October 12, 2026, following the suspension of a nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions over outstanding allowances and salary arrears.
The decision to suspend the strike was announced on Friday, October 9, after negotiations between the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The unions directed their members to return to the classroom while engagements with the government continue on other outstanding concerns affecting teachers’ conditions of service.
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The strike, which began on September 25, 2026, disrupted teaching and learning in public schools as teachers demanded the payment of promotion allowances and arrears, as well as the appropriate placement of promoted staff on their salary scales.
GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah said discussions with the FWSC on promotion and deprived-area allowances, alongside outstanding arrears, had been concluded.
He urged teachers to resume work as directed, following the progress made during negotiations.
NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba also assured teachers that outstanding arrears owed to them would be paid.
He said appeals from well-meaning Ghanaians for the unions to suspend the industrial action demonstrated the importance of teachers’ contributions to national development.
“We hope not to go to this length of industrial action again. We urge everyone, including the media and the public, to join the advocacy for improved conditions of service for teachers,” he added.
The FWSC Chief Executive Officer, Dr George Smith-Graham, said arrears relating to promotion and placement would be paid to 51,000 teachers by October 16, 2026, with the remaining payments expected to be completed by the end of October.
Dr Smith-Graham also disclosed that negotiations on the complementary digital instruction support allowance had been concluded, with payments expected to begin in November 2026.
Negotiations on the continuous professional development allowance had also been completed, with payment expected in December 2026.
According to him, the government would announce the modalities for paying the deprived-area allowance in January 2027.
However, discussions on other outstanding issues affecting teachers would continue, he said.
The suspension of the nationwide teachers’ strike followed engagements with the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and the Council of State on Friday.
The unions had embarked on the industrial action over delays in placing promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales and the non-payment of promotion allowances and accumulated arrears.
The disputes had heightened concerns about teachers’ welfare and the potential impact of prolonged industrial action on academic activities in public schools.
With the suspension now in effect, public basic schools have resumed normal teaching and learning today, October 12.
The unions have urged the government and other stakeholders to sustain engagements to resolve the remaining grievances and improve teachers’ conditions of service.