The Colleges of Education Teachers Association Ghana (CETAG) has expressed concerns that the government is intentionally withholding its members’ legitimate Compulsory Arbitration Awards without any valid justification.
The Association warned that it will no longer tolerate the continuous violation of its members’ economic rights by the employer.
CETAG highlighted that the All-Year-Round Compensation (AYRC), as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), was to be paid by August 31, 2024. However, as of December 16, 2024, only 4 out of the 46 Colleges have received full payment.
The Association stated that the employer’s failure to meet this promise reflects a deliberate attempt to deny its members what they are rightfully owed.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media. We deem it prudent to update the general public concerning the continuous deceptive treatments our employer has meted out to recent times with respect to the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) compulsory arbitration awards issued on May 2, 2023.
“We recall that in August 2023 CETAG embarked on an indefinite strike action over the employer’s failure to comply with the said awards which included among others; An ORDER for the payment of one-month salary based on the respondent’s (CETAG’s) proposed salary grade shall be paid to each of is entitled members as compensation for additional duty performed in the year 2022; An ORDER that the agreed rates payable to Public Universities shall be applied to deserving members of the Respondent (CETAG); An ORDER that the implementation of the completed staff audit exercise shall commence 1st January 2023”.
Colleges of Education Teachers Association Ghana (CETAG)
Meanwhile, from June 14 to August 19, 2024, CETAG and its members participated in one of the longest strikes in recent history over the same unresolved issues.
However, following appeals from the Vice President’s office, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, PRINCOF, and the general public, CETAG was urged to suspend the strike.
The government and the Ministry of Education had assured CETAG that all concerns would be addressed promptly.
CETAG Decries Four Months of Government Inaction
Furthermore, CETAG pointed out that despite the strike being called off on August 20, 2024, it has been four months without any significant progress.
According to the Association, the employer has only continued to deceive members with letters, verbal assurances, and claims of frequent corrections in the audited staff data for migration onto the University Pay Structure.
Meanwhile, the Vice President’s office has remained entirely silent on the matter, offering no meaningful intervention or resolution.
“The employer promised that all issues would be addressed and finally complete the migration of Colleges of Education Teachers onto their affiliate university payroll latest by October 30, 2024
“The association, exhibiting good faith, did call off the strike after signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the appropriate governmental agencies including the MELR, MOE, MoF, and FWSC”.
Colleges of Education Teachers Association Ghana (CETAG)
Accordingly, the Association strongly reminded the government that if, by December 20, 2024, the NLC’s Compulsory Arbitration Awards have not been fully implemented, and the corresponding payments are not reflected in the accounts of its members, it will be forced to take decisive action.
CETAG noted that in such a case, no amount of discussions, negotiations, or interventions from any party—whether governmental, institutional, or otherwise—will sway its members to reverse their decision.
The Association reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of its members.
It emphasized that it will not tolerate any further delays or empty promises, and it is determined to take decisive action if necessary to secure the legitimate benefits and compensation owed to its members.
Meanwhile, another strike by CETAG would result in further disruption to the education of teacher trainees, who have already been severely affected by the impact of the previous strike.
READ ALSO: Nigel Farage Rejects “Woke” Anti-Bullying Training for MPs
