Gov’t negotiate deal with CETAG to end strike

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and the government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to call off the 2-month strike by the teachers.

In a meeting that took place at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and brought together representatives from the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Education, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Principals of Colleges of Education, CETAG, and other stakeholders, the parties have agreed to a road map to address the concerns of the teachers.

Following a meeting with stakeholders, Maxwell Bunu, the National Trustee of CETAG, told the media that the majority of the association’s issues had been resolved.

He said that although more discussions with CETAG’s council are necessary before deciding to call off the strike, the preliminary responses from authorities have been encouraging, adding that it will be imprudent to stay the strike.

“We believe the concerns regarding all-year-round work, the de-freezing of the July salary, and the payment of the August salary have been adequately addressed.”

Minister of Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, urged CETAG to reconsider its stance to ensure students return to the lecture hall.

“We are hoping that CETAG will consult its council, and tomorrow morning, we will wake up to the news that the strike has been called off,” the Minister stated.

He added that measures will be put in place to compensate for lost academic time while urging students who may have left campus due to the strike to return promptly.

The strike, which started on June 14, 2024, has left students stranded and varoious campuses almost empty with just a few students doing their personalised studies.

This follows the government’s refusal to follow arbitral rulings and service requirements established by the National Labour Commission.