The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah, has assured teachers that negotiations with the government over their outstanding demands will continue despite the suspension of the industrial action by three teacher unions. Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, October 9, 2026, Mr Musah emphasised that the suspension did not signify the end of negotiations, noting that several concerns remained unresolved.
“The issues have not been completed. Negotiations have not ended or concluded. Let me put it, not concluded. And so we’ll continue to negotiate until all the issues are done,” he stated. GNAT, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) suspended their strike following engagements with the Council of State and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The unions began the industrial action on September 25, 2026, to protest unresolved concerns regarding promotions, conditions of service and allowances for teachers. Mr Musah clarified that the decision to suspend the strike did not mean the unions’ demands had been fully addressed. He said engagements with the government would continue until all outstanding issues were resolved.
Under the commitments reached, promotion-related arrears are expected to be paid to 51,000 teachers by October 16, 2026, while payments to the remaining beneficiaries are scheduled to be completed by the end of October. The digital support allowance is expected to be paid in November, with the continuous professional development allowance scheduled for December 2026.
Meanwhile, implementation of the deprived-area allowance is expected to commence in January 2027. The modalities for its implementation are expected to be determined by November or December 2026. The unions have also requested that copies of the agreements reached with the government be deposited with the Council of State to promote accountability and ensure the commitments are fulfilled.
Following the suspension of the strike, teachers are expected to resume classroom duties on Monday, October 12, 2026, while negotiations on the outstanding issues continue.
