The Ghana Education Service (GES) has set Monday, October 5, as the deadline for submitting the documents necessary to resolve the ongoing payment dispute affecting teachers. Daniel Fenyi, the Head of Public Relations at GES, stated that the Service is collaborating with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to address the issue and ensure that teachers receive their payments.
During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, Mr. Fenyi emphasised that the primary focus should be on resolving the matter rather than assigning blame. “I would very much hesitate to start blame games,” he said, stressing that “Teachers need their money.”
He explained that teacher unions view the Ministry of Education, GES, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department as a unified government team during negotiations. It is unfortunate, he noted, that blame games have emerged within the government regarding the payment issue.
According to Mr Fenyi, the Education Minister met with the teacher unions on Monday and assured them that progress was being made on the matter. He said the minister had directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to work with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to complete the required documentation.
“The minister also indicated that if any input forms or documents are needed, GES should be able to provide them,” he said. Mr Fenyi explained that the required documents include input forms, promotion letters and other relevant paperwork. He clarified that the figures under discussion cover both teaching and non-teaching staff, with approximately 59,000 to 60,000 teachers affected.
He said GES had initially believed that, given the circumstances and the outcome of the August 31 meeting and agreement, the affected teachers could have been processed through automatic placement. However, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department maintained that the submission of input forms was essential to the process.
Mr Fenyi said GES was now working to meet the revised deadline, adding that staff at the Service’s headquarters were putting in extra hours to ensure the process was completed on time. “I can confirm to you from the GES headquarters that, as we speak, some staff are still there working around the clock,” he said.
He stressed that the Service was approaching the matter in a positive and collaborative manner, working closely with the teacher unions and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue. Mr Fenyi further clarified that the 4 p.m. deadline being discussed was not for Monday, September 28, but for the following Monday. “The 4 p.m. deadline is for next week Monday. Next week Monday,” he emphasised.
He assured teachers that the Ghana Education Service (GES) would meet the upcoming deadline. “In fact, we have already met several deadlines and have been working under pressure,” he stated. GES is committed to prioritising the welfare of teachers and ensuring their return to the classroom. “Trust us; we will work tirelessly to meet their needs so that they can get back to teaching,” he said.
Mr Fenyi also emphasised that GES aims to avoid disrupting the academic calendar. “We have stabilised the calendar,” he added, noting that the Service is dedicated to maintaining its continuity.
