A group of newly posted teachers across the country has warned of a major demonstration in Accra on September 23 if the government fails to clear their outstanding salaries and arrears.
Many of them, graduates from Colleges of Education and universities, say they have endured months of hardship, with some going for a full year without receiving any salary.
At a press conference in Accra, the group’s Lead Convener, Simon Kofi Nartey, explained that their patience had worn thin and that only urgent intervention from the highest levels of government could avert the planned protest.
“We know that His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana, is a listening president. We humbly call for his urgent intervention to ensure that the Ministry of Finance releases the necessary funds to pay our arrears and salaries without further delay.”
Lead Convener, Simon Kofi Nartey
He stressed that if staff ID numbers are not issued, validation completed, and payments made by September 23, they would take to the streets in protest.
Rent and feeding challenges
The teachers say the delay has taken a heavy toll on their daily lives, with many unable to afford food or rent. Some revealed that they had been relying on colleagues, who were fortunate to be on payroll, just to survive.
Others said landlords had issued eviction threats, insisting that they either pay their arrears or vacate their rooms. One teacher explained that while their monthly salaries ranged between GH₵3,000 and GH₵4,000, the amount was still modest compared to other jobs in the country.
The frustration, they said, was that some domestic workers earned even higher wages yet were paid regularly, while professionals tasked with educating the nation’s future leaders were left struggling for months on end.
Beyond the financial stress, the situation has also raised concerns about the mental health and productivity of teachers in the classroom. Several said it was difficult to concentrate on teaching when they were unsure how they would feed themselves or keep a roof over their heads.
They argued that expecting teachers to give their best while neglecting their basic welfare was unfair and unsustainable.
Broken promises
The group recalled that when they last raised the issue, it caught the attention of Parliament and the Ghana Education Service. The Minister of Education at the time assured the House that the arrears would be settled before the end of the previous month.
However, the group lamented that the assurance has not materialised. As a result, many teachers feel their concerns are not being treated with the seriousness they deserve.
Nartey said the group’s intention was not to disrupt education but to demand what was legitimately owed to them. He explained that the demonstration was meant to draw national attention to their plight and pressure the relevant authorities into action.
The planned protest has begun to generate debate beyond the affected teachers, with civil society groups and education stakeholders expressing concern about its potential impact.
If the arrears are not paid quickly, the action could lead to disruptions in schools, especially at a time when the sector is already facing challenges with teacher shortages and limited resources.
For the teachers themselves, however, the protest is not just about money but about recognition and fairness. They argued that by neglecting their salaries for so long, the state is effectively devaluing the role of teachers in society.
They pointed out that they are responsible for educating doctors, engineers, ministers, and future leaders, yet they are being treated as though their work does not matter.
Survival not Luxury
Others emphasised that the issue was not about luxury demands but about survival. Their modest earnings, they explained, were essential for meeting basic needs such as rent, food, and transportation.
For many, going without pay for eight to twelve months had already forced them into debt, with some relying on loans or handouts to get by.
The looming deadline puts pressure on the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education to resolve the matter swiftly. Already, the group has given notice that they will not call off the demonstration unless they receive concrete assurances backed by action.
With growing frustration among the affected teachers, the issue risks escalating into a broader debate about how Ghana values and supports its educators.
As the September 23 deadline approaches, the teachers’ demands are clear: issuance of staff IDs, validation into the payroll system, and immediate release of salaries and arrears. Anything short of that, they warn, will result in a massive demonstration through the streets of the capital.
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