Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has expressed concern over the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG), warning it is disrupting academic work nationwide.

CETAG began its industrial action on Monday, November 24, citing the government’s failure to fully implement the Association’s 2023 Conditions of Service and delays in acting on the National Labour Commission’s arbitral award from May 2, 2024.

Speaking in Accra on December 19 during the handover of 20 vehicles to selected Colleges of Education, Minister Iddrisu stated that discussions with the Ministry of Finance are underway to resolve the teachers’ grievances. “I understand that CETAG is still on strike. We need industrial peace and harmony on the campuses of learning,” he said.

The Minister emphasized the detrimental impact of prolonged strikes on students’ future prospects. “When you prolong your strike action, it does affect career planning and the career path development of the young people,” he noted.

Regarding efforts to secure funding, Minister Iddrisu revealed, “I discussed with Finance Minister Ato Forson and even this morning I woke up to the same matter. We are mobilising the GH₵41 million to pay, so it is not as if we are not committed to paying.”

He also highlighted recent progress in settling teacher allowances. “Last month when teachers didn’t get some allowances, they should celebrate President Mahama. We’ve paid the allowances and any of you who went to take your salary this month, those two outstanding allowances that were not paid by the controller have been settled,” he added.

The newly distributed vehicles are intended to enhance mobility and operational efficiency within the Colleges of Education. Minister Iddrisu explained, “As part of President Mahama’s reset, we intend to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the heads of institutions, particularly in your monitoring and supervision role. I should thank the Director-General of GTEC and, in particular, GETFUND for supporting this initiative.”

While the initial plan was to distribute 46 vehicles, resource constraints limited the number to 20 for this phase. “So 20 colleges of education will benefit from this batch,” the Minister clarified.

Professor Mahama Duwiejua, Board Chairman of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), praised the government’s initiative, stating that the vehicles would significantly improve the quality of education by facilitating engagement between principals and their communities.

Mr. Iddrisu concluded with a cautionary note, urging recipients to properly maintain the vehicles. “I want to make one appeal as you take these vehicles, please take good care of them. I’m told there are new cars with twin-turbo engines that may require special attention. Take notice of that and maintain them well.”

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