GTEC directs CAGD to withhold July salaries of CETAG members

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has sent a letter to the Controller and Accountant General (CAGD) requesting the withholding of July salaries for members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

In response to the Minister of Education’s concerns regarding CETAG members not ending their illegal strike in June 2024, the statement issued on July 22 states that all teaching staff at Colleges of Education, except Principals, will not receive their salaries for July 2024. College Principals are instructed not to approve the salaries of teaching staff for July 2024.

The strike was initiated by teachers in colleges of education on June 14th, demanding better working conditions and remuneration packages due to the government’s delay in implementing National Labour Commission (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions. CETAG members are also seeking the payment of additional duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed rates of allowances similar to those in public universities.

The strike has impacted all 46 public colleges of education in the country, causing disruption to the academic calendar and leaving students awaiting the resumption of classes. Despite an injunction from the National Labour Commission on June 20th and a directive to end the strike, CETAG continued with their action. The NLC has announced plans to sue the government to enforce the arbitral award in favor of CETAG.

As the prolonged strike enters its sixth week, the leadership of CETAG held an emergency meeting to discuss strategies and plan the next steps in response to the ongoing situation.