A coalition of newly posted teachers across Ghana has threatened to stage a massive protest in Accra on September 23, 2025, if government fails to settle months of unpaid salaries and arrears.
The group, made up of graduates from Colleges of Education and universities, says some of its members have gone a full year without pay, while others have been left unpaid for up to eight months.
At a press conference in Accra on Monday, September 8, the group’s Lead Convener, Simon Kofi Nartey, made a direct appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging swift intervention.
“We know His Excellency is a listening president. We humbly call for his urgent intervention to ensure the Ministry of Finance releases the necessary funds to pay our arrears and salaries without further delay,” Nartey said.
He warned that if by the end of September the teachers have not been issued their staff ID numbers, validated, and fully paid, they will hit the streets in protest.
“We are hereby giving notice that if these demands are not met, we will embark on a massive demonstration through the principal streets of Accra to register our displeasure and the hardship we are going through,” he declared.
Struggling to Survive
Several affected teachers shared harrowing accounts of the toll of going unpaid for months.
“It is very bad. It’s getting worse because we don’t even have money to eat. We borrow from our own colleagues — the same people we graduated with and were posted on the same day,” one teacher lamented.
Another added that many are facing eviction.
“Our rents are due, and landlords are threatening to evict us. They’ve made it clear either we pay or we leave.”
They stressed that their monthly salaries, averaging GH₵3,000 to GH₵4,000, are modest compared to what some casual workers reportedly earn.
“Even those who are paid monthly are struggling in this economy. So how about us, who have gone 12 months without pay? Meanwhile, some gardeners and labourers earn over GH₵5,000 and are paid every month.”
Broken Promises and Frustration
The teachers also accused government of failing to honor previous commitments.
“The last time we came out, the issue went
to Parliament, and the Minister of Education promised that by the end of last month we’d be paid. As of now, we’ve seen nothing,” Nartey said.
They lamented that despite their critical role in shaping the nation’s future, they are being treated unfairly.
“We are the ones teaching your ministers, doctors, and engineers — yet we are being treated as though we do not matter,” one teacher said.
Beyond the financial strain, they warned that the delays are taking a toll on their mental health and ability to teach effectively.
“You want me to have stable mental health to teach, but you won’t pay me? What is more important to one’s well-being than receiving your monthly salary? You can’t expect us to teach with focus and energy when we haven’t been paid for 12 good months.”
The group insists it remains hopeful that government will intervene but maintains that its planned protest will go ahead if no immediate action is taken.
