CETAG Finally Suspends Strike After Productive Talks with Government Over Key Grievances
CETAG calls off strike with a renewed focus on government’s actions to fulfill outstanding agreements
- CETAG halts indefinite strike after government commitment to resolve key issues
- Delayed salary migration, unpaid compensation, and unresolved NLC award remain central concerns.
- CETAG warns of potential renewed strike if 80% of grievances are not addressed by February 2025
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has called off its indefinite strike, which began on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
This comes after sustained pressure and multiple notices issued earlier in September and December 2024.
CETAG had declared the strike following the government’s failure to fulfill critical agreements, particularly the National Labour Commission (NLC)’s arbitration award from May 2, 2023. The association voiced strong dissatisfaction over several unresolved issues, including:
- Failure to Implement NLC Award: CETAG accused the government of violating Ghana’s Labour Act by not honoring the NLC’s arbitration decision.
- Delayed Salary Migration: A 20-month delay in moving teaching staff to the salary structure of affiliated universities.
- Unpaid Compensation: The government has yet to pay compensation for 2022, as per NLC instructions.
- Appointment Letters Delays: Delays in issuing new appointment letters for migration to the Controller and Accountant General’s payroll.
- Unpaid Allowances: CETAG highlighted the lack of 2023 book and research allowance top-ups for staff at Akrokerri College of Education.
In addition to their grievances, CETAG criticized the NLC for its failure to enforce its directives.
The strike action, which could disrupt academic activities and exam preparations at 46 colleges of education across Ghana, has now been called off after government’s recent efforts to address CETAG’s concerns.
Mr. Daniel Ofori Mensah, CETAG’s Vice President speaking in an interview on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show on Lawson TV/Radio with Kwame Tanko expressed hope that the migration process will be completed soon and assured that new Education Minister Harruna Iddrisu has shown goodwill.
“We understand that we shouldn’t welcome the new minister with a strike. We’ve never been happy about going on strike. While some of our members have yet to be migrated, we recognize that migration is a process. If you’re going to do it, it should be done for everyone, not just for MPhil holders,” he said.
However, Mr. Ofori Mensah warned that if 80% of their grievances are not resolved by February 2025, they will consider taking further action
