The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) continues to face challenges in securing the benefits and compensation promised to its members.
In a recent discussion with Dr. Issah Bala Abdulai, a key figure within CETAG, he voiced frustration with the leadership’s response and laid out the intentions of the association to escalate their efforts.
The association has reached an impasse, as they perceive that leadership has not only neglected their concerns but also appears to be colluding with the government to undermine CETAG’s mission.
“Anytime [we] gets up to do something for our own benefit, the executives actually tried to kick against it.”
Dr. Issah Abdulai CETAG
He pointed out that one of their industrial leaders, Mr. Dominic, who actively supported efforts for CETAG to secure their arbitral award, even involved the government in these pursuits.
Yet, Dr. Abdulai suggested that this support was met with resistance from within CETAG itself, saying, “Can you imagine somebody that an association is fighting against the arbitral award?”
The perceived lack of commitment from CETAG’s leadership has led members to doubt whether they can trust their own leaders to advocate on their behalf. This tension has only fueled members’ determination to seek redress from higher authorities if necessary.
Lengthy Strike and Unresolved Agreements
CETAG has been engaged in long-term strikes to push for improvements in their working conditions, yet Dr. Abdulai noted that their demands remain unmet. Reflecting on the previous strike
However, despite this significant sacrifice, the association did not see concrete results.
“We have [actaully] reached an agreement with the government… as we speak now, nothing. We have not got anything from that.”
Dr. Issah Abdulai CETAG
This lack of follow-through has only exacerbated the frustration within CETAG and strengthened the resolve of its members to take action.
Migration Delays and Broken Promises
One major area of contention is the delayed migration of CETAG members to the College of Education payroll system, which was promised as part of the agreement to end the strike.
Dr. Abdulai was clear in his disappointment, stating, “Up there, October ended, and there is still migration to the College of Education.” For CETAG members, these repeated delays are more than just bureaucratic setbacks; they represent a fundamental lack of respect for the sacrifices they have made.
Dr. Abdulai emphasized that the continuous failure to honor these promises has left CETAG members with no choice but to consider more drastic measures.
The patience of the association has worn thin, and as the months pass, the pressure on the government to respond grows.
Escalation to the International Court of Justice
”if we don’t see anything by the end of November, that is where we are going. The process is ongoing, that’s where we have to go, we have tried all avaenues; nationally is not working, the office of the vice Preident came in nothing has happened, so I think now we have to take it further and go [to] international labor Organization.”
Dr. Issah Bala Abdulai CETAG
Dr. Abdulai also hinted at the possibility of a new strike if their grievances continue to be ignored.
“We want to surprise them… we are also studying the terrain because we know that they are also planning.’’
Dr. Issah Bala Abdulai CETAG
He signaled a cautious but determined approach to further industrial action. He suggested that CETAG would monitor the government’s response carefully before deciding on their next move.
CETAG’s Determined Stance
The frustration and disillusionment among CETAG members are palpable, as they feel they have been left in limbo by both their leadership and the government.
Dr. Abdulai’s statements revealed a group that has exhausted its patience and is willing to take bold steps to secure the rights they believe are overdue.
The call to escalate to an international court is emblematic of CETAG’s shift toward a more aggressive stance. CETAG’s future actions will likely depend on how the government responds in the coming weeks.
For now, Dr. Abdulai’s message remains clear: if CETAG’s needs are not addressed, they will escalate their campaign to the highest levels, signaling a potential shift in Ghana’s industrial relations landscape.
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