The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the government to address a range of unresolved issues that continue to adversely affect teachers in the country.
The issues, which include the non-implementation of a scheme of service for Ghana Education Service (GES) staff and the challenges brought about by the implementation of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), have led to delays in salary payments and promotions for teachers.
These demands are part of the directives given by the National Labour Commission (NLC) after meeting with three teacher unions and their employers, represented by ministries and the GES, following the unions’ strike on March 20, 2024.
Findings
“It would be recalled that the commission, after hearing the disputes and meeting the parties jointly and separately, made some findings and issued directives, one of which was for the GES to provide its staff with a scheme of service,” GNAT said.
GNAT has now given the government until April 30, 2025, to resolve the outstanding issues.
“It must be placed on record that these issues have created widespread disaffection, anger, and disillusionment among our members. If not addressed immediately, it could affect industrial peace on our front,” said GNAT in a letter dated March 28, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Education and signed by the General Secretary, Thomas Musah.
2024 Strike
The three teacher unions declared an indefinite nationwide strike on March 20, 2024, in protest against the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansah, a banker, as the Director-General of the GES. Among their demands were the termination of his appointment and the implementation of a scheme of service for GES staff with specific timelines.
The unions also sought to decouple the ranks of Director 2 and Director 1 from political districts and regions, allowing for the promotion of deputy directors to higher positions.
Following a meeting on March 26, 2024, between the MoE, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment (MOLJE), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the GES, the NLC directed that the GES develop a scheme of service for its staff.
The GES submitted a draft scheme of service for the teacher unions’ input by April 2024, and the unions provided their feedback in July 2024. The two parties worked with a GES consultant (Price WaterhouseCoopers) to finalize the scheme, but it has yet to be signed and implemented.
GNAT expressed its frustration that the same issues that led to the NLC’s intervention and directives are still unresolved, stressing that this constitutes a blatant disregard for the commission’s authority.
Inputs and Implementation
The GES is expected to sign and implement the scheme of service by April 30, 2025, GNAT insisted.
HRMIS Issues
The GNAT also raised concerns over the implementation of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), which was reintroduced by the Public Services Commission (PSC) despite objections from the unions.
According to GNAT, the system has led to significant challenges for teachers, including salary reactivation delays, with over 800 teachers affected as of December 2024. Some teachers have faced delays ranging from four to 12 months.
Additionally, teachers who have pursued further studies, often self-sponsored, have been denied upgrading upon completion. A number of teachers who were successful in the last promotion exercise, but below the rank of Principal Superintendent, have also not been upgraded or placed on their correct ranks.
GNAT has called for the immediate resolution of these issues to ensure the welfare and professional development of teachers.
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