Ghana teacher strike: Haruna Iddrisu reaffirms October 16 salary pledge
The Education Minister says he will personally work to resolve the dispute as negotiations continue. He has appealed to teachers to return to classrooms and protect the academic calendar.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has reaffirmed a commitment to a supplementary salary arrangement by October 16 as the government seeks to end Ghana’s teacher strike.
He said the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department would carry out the arrangement, while pledging to personally engage in efforts to resolve teachers’ outstanding concerns within the coming hours and days.
The announcement comes as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission continues negotiations with the striking teachers. Mr Iddrisu appealed to them to consider the disruption to teaching and help protect the academic calendar.
“Be assured that I gave my word that the Controller and Accountant-General will do a supplementary salary arrangement by 16th of October,” he said.
“That will be honoured in observance and not in breach.”
The October 16 commitment concerns the supplementary salary arrangement. Mr Iddrisu did not announce a concluded agreement with the teachers or a confirmed date for their return to work.
He said ending the industrial action remained a priority and indicated that he would take a direct role in addressing the dispute.
“For me, as I said, it is an escape from problems that I will run back to, to go and resolve the strike, and that I will do in the next few hours and days,” he said.
“We will get the teachers back to work.”
Mr Iddrisu said the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would continue discussions with the teachers to reach an agreement on the outstanding issues.
Alongside the salary commitment, he urged the teachers to consider the effect of the strike on the school timetable.
“I plead with them once again to keep the calendar safe and secure,” he said. The minister expressed confidence that the dispute could be resolved.
The next developments will be the outcome of the continuing negotiations and implementation of the arrangement promised by October 16. A return to teaching has yet to be confirmed.
Related articles:
Teacher strike: FWSC warns of salary deductions if action is ruled illegal
Ghana teacher strike: FWSC warns of further action after October 9