Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has explained that the government’s decision to recruit 7,000 teachers in 2026 is due to financial constraints, despite the country's need for more teachers.

According to the Education Minister, more than 40,000 people applied within 24 hours after the recruitment portal was opened recently for the 7,000 available vacancies, creating a significant challenge.

“I currently have financial clearance from the Minister of Finance to recruit up to 7,000 teachers. I had applications within 24 hours at over 40,000. What can you do? I don’t have the magic wand,” he said in an interview with Channel TV on July 27, 2026.

Haruna Iddrisu said Ghana’s teacher shortage remains significant, estimating that the country would require between 50,000 and 90,000 additional teachers to address the deficit.

He, however, explained that teacher recruitment must be balanced with the need to employ other categories of public sector workers, including nurses and other public servants.

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“Don’t forget, our economy has what it can absorb per our compensation budget. All of it cannot be given for teacher recruitment. There are nurses that you have to recruit. There are public servants that you have to recruit. So, there are limitations,” he said.

The minister acknowledged concerns raised after the recruitment numbers became public but said his hands were tied once the approved number of vacancies was reached.

“When we get to the 7,000, there is very little I can do,” he stated.

Haruna Iddrisu disclosed that the Education Ministry is considering a second phase of recruitment involving 8,000 teachers, following consultations with the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and his team.

He said the additional teachers would begin work around April 2027 as part of plans to split the recruitment of 16,000 teachers in two phases.

“The President at Peki announced that we can stagger recruitment of 16,000 teachers in two phases of 8,000 and 8,000. So, you get 8,000 in the first quarter of 2027, then before the end of the year, you start another 8,000,” he explained.

Haruna Iddrisu further noted that he had made a case for the recruitment of 50,000 teachers before the 2026 budget, but only 7,000 positions were approved for 2026.

JKB/VPO

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