The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has called on the striking members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to resume their roles in the classrooms.

Professor Ahmed Jinapor stated that the government, through the Finance Ministry, has settled all outstanding research and book allowances owed to CETAG members.

During the investiture of Professor Prince Boateng, who has been promoted from Acting Principal to Principal of Ada College of Education, Professor Jinapor announced that the teachers can access their payments on the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System starting Monday, July 15, 2024.

He also added that “GTEC is currently working with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to ensure that all staff is placed on the scheme.”

“CETAG is on strike on the grounds that they want a top-up of their book and research allowance paid, and I am glad that the monies have finally been paid. A total of one hundred and ninety-nine million Ghana cedis plus have been paid,” he added.

Background

On Friday, June 14, the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) announced an indefinite strike.

This action is a reaction to the government's postponement in executing the National Labour Commission's (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and the agreed-upon service conditions.

The strike impacts all 46 public colleges of education across the country.

CETAG is demanding the payment of one month's salary to each member for extra duties carried out in 2022, as well as the application of agreed-upon allowance rates for public universities to eligible CETAG members.

CETAG's leadership stated that the strike is meant to compel the government to honor its commitments.

In a June 14, 2024, statement, CETAG underscored that the strike is designed to protect the economic rights of its members, as guaranteed by Article 24(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and Section 10 (a) and (b) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

The association highlighted the necessity of maintaining these legal and constitutional safeguards.

CETAG has called on its members to cease teaching and related activities indefinitely until their concerns are addressed.

“CETAG wishes to call on every member to immediately comply with this declaration by withdrawing teaching and related services indefinitely across all 46 public colleges of education until all the orders arising from the Compulsory Arbitration Awards and related concerns are fully implemented by way of payments to our members and implementations thereof. Thank you.”