The Concerned Newly Recruited Teachers of the Ghana Education Service (GES) have voiced strong dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to fulfil its announced plan to pay outstanding salary arrears owed to them.
The group stated that an official GES letter dated April 20, 2026, bearing reference number GES/DD-G(MS)/1/26/212, confirmed approval from the Ministry of Finance for the payment of arrears owed to eligible staff from August 2024 to November 2025.
According to the letter, the arrears were expected to be paid in instalments starting in May, with four months of arrears scheduled to accompany monthly salaries.
However, the teachers say salaries for May have already been paid without any arrears credited to their accounts.
Describing the situation as both financially damaging and emotionally exhausting, the teachers explained that many had accumulated debts during the long delay and were depending on the promised payments to ease their financial burdens.
“This situation has left thousands of teachers financially stranded. Some are struggling with loans, rent, transportation, and family responsibilities,” part of the statement said.
The group also compared their situation to that of nurses who protested over similar arrears issues. According to them, nurses received clear communication and were subsequently paid according to the agreed timeline.
“Why is the same commitment not being shown toward teachers? What country treats its educators this way?” the statement asked.
The teachers are now calling on the government, the Ministry of Finance, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and the leadership of GES to ensure that all arrears are settled before the end of the month in line with the previously announced payment schedule.
They warned that if the payments are not made within the stipulated period, they would be forced to resume picketing and other lawful protest actions to demand their entitlements.
The statement also appealed to teacher unions, civil society groups, the media, and the general public to support teachers in their call for fairness, accountability, and greater respect for the teaching profession.
“We also call on teacher unions, civil society organizations, the media, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to stand with teachers in demanding fairness, accountability, and respect for the teaching profession,” the group added