Omanghana
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has warned that delays in paying promotion salary arrears could lead to renewed industrial tension among teachers and other education workers.
The warning comes as thousands of Ghana Education Service (GES) personnel await payments linked to their promotions.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said on October 27 that about 28,000 cases remained outstanding, including some involving non-teaching staff. He said approximately 52,000 beneficiaries whose records had been validated had received their arrears by October 16, out of about 80,000 people seeking payment.
NAGRAT, led by President Jacob Anaba, has raised concerns about the effect of continued delays on affected staff. The outstanding payments were among the issues that led teacher unions to embark on a nationwide strike in September.
Validation and payroll delays
Iddrisu attributed the delay mainly to administrative challenges involving the GES and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.
He said the manual validation of records had slowed the process, and some outstanding claims could not be completed in time for the October payroll. The minister also said the Ministry of Finance had assured the negotiating parties that provision had been made for the payments in the budget.
The government had previously indicated that outstanding promotion payments would be settled by the end of October.
GES sets November payment date
The GES has since announced November 16, 2026, as the expected payment date for outstanding promotion arrears for affected staff promoted in 2025.
The service said the Controller and Accountant-General’s payment system was scheduled to reopen on October 28 to allow outstanding information to be entered. It also promised to correct discrepancies identified in payments made on October 16 and expressed regret over the delay.
Earlier strike suspended
The arrears dispute formed part of the grievances that prompted pre-tertiary teacher unions to begin a nationwide strike on September 25, 2026.
The unions suspended the action on October 9 after engagements with the government and other institutions. Members were asked to return to classrooms on October 12 while discussions on outstanding concerns continued.
Source: Omanghana
