The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has issued a strong warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike across all 46 Colleges of Education if the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) arbitral award is not fully implemented by the end of October 2025.

According to a citinewsroom.com on October 27, CETAG expressed frustration over the government’s failure to honor the binding arbitral award issued by the NLC on May 2, 2023.

The award aimed to resolve longstanding compensation issues for tutors in colleges of education.

Despite numerous discussions and promises, the government has yet to pay the arrears for the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance, which was agreed upon with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on April 30, 2025.

CETAG has pointed out that these arrears were supposed to be paid alongside the 2024/2025 allowance but have been delayed.

Furthermore, CETAG has expressed concern over the government's failure to deliver the top-up payment for the 2022 Book and Research Allowance to Akrokerri College of Education staff, despite previous commitments.

Among the things the group is asking for are:

1. Compensation for all-year-round work for 39 Colleges of Education for additional duties performed in 2022.

2. The downgrading of experienced staff, which CETAG says undermines professionalism and morale.

3. The non-payment of the 2022/2023 Book and Research Allowance arrears, contingent upon CETAG's migration to the university salary structure.

CETAG insists that if their demands are not met and fully implemented by October 31, 2025, they "advise itself."

More specifically, CETAG has announced that if the government fails to meet its obligations by November 7, 2025, that date will serve as an official strike notice, leading to nationwide industrial action across all Colleges of Education.

The statement declared, "This industrial action will remain in force until the last pesewa owed to CETAG is paid."

In the meantime, CETAG has urged the government to take swift action to prevent disruptions to the 2025/2026 academic year, warning that continued inaction could destabilise teaching and learning at the nation's colleges of education.

"We urge the government to act decisively and prioritise the welfare of teacher educators and the broader academic community," the statement concluded.

NAD/AE

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