The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has issued a strong warning that it will initiate a nationwide strike if the government does not settle outstanding payments and fully enforce an arbitral decision made by the National Labour Commission (NLC) in May 2023.
In an interview with Joynews, CETAG President Maxwell Bunu stated that members will boycott lecture halls if the unresolved portions of the award—particularly the arrears for the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance—are not cleared before colleges reopen on 11 November 2025.
He noted that although the association has held several discussions with government representatives, the promises made have yet to materialize.
“If this remaining component of our award has not been complied with, money that they owe them has not been paid, they will not set their feet in the lecture hall when the colleges reopen on the 11th of November 2025,” he declared.
Mr. Bunu also revealed that CETAG has formally informed the National Labour Commission of its intent to strike should the government fail to act by 7 November.
“We have already indirectly served strike notice to the National Labour Commission that on the 7th, if by that date nothing has happened, then of course they should consider that we are going to embark on a full ground strike,” he said.
CETAG maintains that the government has consistently neglected key aspects of the binding award concerning conditions of service. Despite reassurances during a meeting with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on 30 April 2025, the Book and Research Allowance arrears remain unpaid.
The association is also urging the government to immediately address lingering issues at Akrokerri College of Education, where the top-up for the 2022 Book and Research Allowance has yet to be released, despite repeated commitments.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Mr. Bunu lamented that unresolved matters dating back to previous administrations continue to persist.
He emphasized that CETAG has made numerous attempts to engage the government to avoid industrial action, but their concerns have been largely ignored.
“We have given the government until the end of this month because they already know the issues. When we want to engage so that we don’t get to this stage, nobody is listening. And I think this is the only language governments understand, and we have to speak this language to them,” he said.
This ultimatum raises the possibility of significant disruption to academic activities in Colleges of Education nationwide if the government fails to meet CETAG’s demands.
SOURCE: Myjoyonline
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