The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike across all 46 Colleges of Education if the government fails to settle outstanding allowances and fully implement the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) arbitral award by October 31, 2025.
In a statement dated October 27, 2025, CETAG accused the government of a “persistent failure” to honour the legally binding arbitral award issued by the NLC on May 2, 2023, which was meant to address long-standing compensation disputes among tutors in Colleges of Education.
According to CETAG, despite several assurances, the government has yet to pay the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance arrears, as agreed with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on April 30, 2025.
The association said the arrears were to be paid together with the 2024/2025 allowances, but the payments have been “inexplicably delayed.”
CETAG also expressed concern over the non-payment of the 2022 Book and Research Allowance top-up for staff of Akrokerri College of Education, describing the situation as “deeply disappointing” given repeated government assurances.
Unresolved Labour Issues
Beyond the unpaid allowances, CETAG listed several outstanding issues that remain unresolved before the NLC. These include:
- All-Year-Round Work compensation for 39 Colleges of Education for additional duties performed in 2022.
- The downgrading of experienced staff, which the association says undermines professionalism and morale.
- The non-payment of 2022/2023 Book and Research Allowance arrears, which are contingent upon CETAG’s migration onto the university salary structure.
The association stressed that these delays amount to a breach of trust and a disregard for labour laws, reminding the government that the NLC’s arbitral award is legally binding and “not subject to government discretion.”
Strike Threat
CETAG has issued a final warning, giving the government until October 31, 2025, to fulfill all components of the arbitral award.
If the government fails to comply, November 7, 2025, will be treated as an official strike notice, triggering a nationwide industrial action across all Colleges of Education.
“Our patience is running out. If by the end of October government fails to implement the full award and pay all outstanding allowances, we will advise ourselves,” the statement warned.
