Three prominent teacher unions in Ghana, namely the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Gh), have jointly announced a nationwide strike set to commence on Wednesday, March 20.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the unions expressed their frustration with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for failing to promptly address their conditions of service. The unions highlighted that negotiations for a new collective agreement, slated for completion by February 29, 2024, have not been finalized, despite their efforts to bring attention to the matter.

According to the unions, the GES also lacks a functional scheme of service for teachers, a crucial component necessary to address various requirements within the teaching profession. They emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and suitable scheme to cater to the needs of educators.

Additionally, the unions criticized the government and the GES for their failure to complete the distribution of laptops to all teachers, further contributing to their grievances.

The decision to initiate a nationwide strike reflects the unions’ determination to address these longstanding issues and compel action from relevant authorities.