The College of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has been on strike since 2021, with the action occurring on three separate occasions due to the government’s persistent failure to address their Conditions of Service (COS). CETAG’s leadership has expressed frustration over the government’s repeated promises and signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to resolve their issues, only to return to inaction once the strikes are called off.
CETAG said these at a press conference they organized in Ho on August 15 led by Dr. Dominic Owusu.
According to CETAG, they are no longer negotiating with the government, as all issues have been fully discussed and agreements reached. Dr. Clement Apaak, a leading figure in CETAG, noted that they have engaged in numerous fruitless meetings—up to 28 times—with government agencies regarding their Conditions of Service.
In 2022, stalled negotiations led the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to take CETAG to the National Labour Commission (NLC) for compulsory arbitration. After six months of deliberations, the NLC ruled supporting CETAG on May 2, 2023. The remedies included:
1. An order to pay one month’s salary based on the proposed salary grade to be paid as compensation for additional duties performed in 2022.
2. A directive for the government to expedite and conclude the ongoing staff audit by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) by July 31, 2023.
3. The application of agreed rates payable to public universities to deserving CETAG members.
4. An order to implement the new Conditions of Service and the completed staff audit to commence from January 1, 2023.
Despite the NLC’s rulings, CETAG embarked on another strike three months later to compel the government to execute these awards. Although the government signed another MoU and requested two months to administer the NLC Arbitral reliefs, CETAG claims that the government agencies have abandoned their commitments. CETAG wrote numerous letters and held meetings to push the government into action but all to no avail.
CETAG has also expressed deep disappointment in the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who they say has twice pledged to resolve their issues during strikes, only to neglect them afterward. This has led to a breakdown in trust, with CETAG stating their resolve to take the Minister’s word with a pinch of salt until the government addresses their concerns by acting on the orders of the NLC – they want funds to reflect in their bank accounts – the only way to end the agitation.
Further complicating the issue is GTEC’s handling of the staff audit, mandated by the NLC Arbitral Awards to rationalize all teaching staff in line with their counterparts in public universities based on academic qualifications and ranks. CETAG claims that, despite spending millions of cedis on the staff audit, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has shown a lack of interest in its results and has even instructed college principals to disassociate themselves from the audit report, which CETAG views as an act of injustice and financial mismanagement.
In response to CETAG’s ongoing strike, GTEC and other government agencies initially agreed to migrate all staff of Colleges of Education. But CETAG alleges that GTEC is now engaging in “mapping” instead of the agreed “migration.” Moreover, CETAG criticizes GTEC for using outdated rank systems like Tutor and Senior Tutor instead of the new nomenclature, recommended by the staff audit, which includes titles like Principal Research Officer, Assistant Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor. CETAG is firm in its stance that it will resist any migration that does not align with the audit report.
CETAG members are also seeking payment for 20 months of arrears owed to them under the NLC Arbitral Awards. They have made it clear that they will not accept any more deceptive MoUs, as previous agreements—such as one signed on December 16, 2022—have been ignored by the government. CETAG’s demands are as follows:
1. Full implementation of the Staff Audit Report in line with the NLC Arbitral Awards.
2. Recognition of the staff audit’s nomenclature and rationalization titles.
3. Rejection of any migration that does not reflect the audit report.
4. Payment of the 20 months of arrears owed under the NLC Arbitral Awards.
5. Payment of the All-Year-Round Compensation for work done in 2022.
6. Payment of the Book and Research Allowance top-up for 2023 and full Book and Research Allowance for 2024.
CETAG’s stance reflects a deep-seated frustration with what they perceive as the government’s failure to uphold its commitments, and they remain resolute in their demands for justice and fair treatment.
