Omanghana
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced October 16, 2026, as the target date for processing the first tranche of outstanding promotion arrears owed to striking teachers.
The Ministry of Education is validating the records of at least 51,000 pre-tertiary teachers as part of preparations for the payments. The exercise is intended to establish the details of eligible teachers and facilitate the necessary salary adjustments.
The Ghana Education Service has been given until October 5 to complete and submit the validated records. Once verification is concluded, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and the Ministry of Finance are expected to begin arrangements for supplementary payments.
Beyond the first tranche, the government is targeting October 30 to ensure that affected promoted teachers are placed on their appropriate salary grades.
Iddrisu has also personally committed to resolving the arrears by the end-of-month deadline. Speaking at the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize celebrations, he linked the fulfilment of that commitment to his credibility.
“If by October 30, 2026, your promotion arrears are not paid, then I will have no honor,” he said.
The payment assurances come amid nationwide industrial action by pre-tertiary teacher unions over outstanding entitlements and conditions of service. Participating unions include the Ghana National Association of Teachers and the National Association of Graduate Teachers.
The government, acting under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama, has appealed to the unions to suspend the strike while discussions continue.
Iddrisu said engagements with union leaders were being intensified to address their concerns, stressing that teachers deserve dignity and respect.
Source: Omanghana
