Newly posted teachers threaten protest over 12-month unpaid salaries

The Aggrieved Newly Posted Teachers group has given the government a one-week ultimatum to settle salary arrears owed to its members, some of whom have gone up to 12 months without pay.

Comprising graduates from both colleges of education and universities, the group has threatened to stage a mass protest on September 30 if their demands are not met.

The decision follows the expiration of their earlier deadline of September 23, which passed without any response from the Ministry of Education.

Lead convener Simon Kofi Nartey explained that despite submitting a petition on September 8 to the ministry and other relevant authorities, their grievances have been ignored.

According to the group’s records, teachers posted from colleges of education have worked a full year without receiving a single salary, while university-trained teachers have gone without pay for eight months.

“It is rather unfortunate that nothing has been done about the concerns we raised at our press conference,” Nartey said in an interview with the media.

“We have no option but to take to the streets. We have already met with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command and agreed on September 30 for the demonstration.”

The looming protest underscores a recurring problem in Ghana’s education sector, where newly recruited public servants often suffer long delays before receiving their first salaries.

A 2024 report by the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) found that about 70% of newly posted teachers experience delays of more than four months.

With Ghana’s high teacher-to-student ratio, the timely payment of these new educators is critical.

Their financial struggles not only affect their livelihoods but also hinder their ability to perform effectively, as many are unable to afford transportation, accommodation, and other essentials.

By taking to the streets, the group hopes to draw public attention to their plight and press the government to act swiftly to ensure teachers, vital to the country’s future, are fairly and promptly compensated.

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