The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has agreed to call off its strike tomorrow 20th August, 2024, following successful negotiations between the government and CETAG members. The government has committed to paying the July and August salaries of CETAG members by the end of this month. CETAG has been on strike for the past seven weeks, demanding a thorough discussion and resolution of their conditions of service. A key issue raised by CETAG during the negotiations was their demand for an upgrade to a university status.
After a meeting that lasted over three hours, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns that led to the strike. He conveyed optimism about the outcome of the discussions, noting the significant progress made. Baffour-Awuah expressed his belief that teachers would likely return to school after consulting with their members. He took the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to resolving the issue, particularly President Nana Akufo-Addo for his dedication to finding a solution, and the office of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for its intervention.
In a related statement, Maxwell Bunu, a trustee of CETAG, affirmed the association’s commitment to ending the strike by the close of tomorrow, August 20th. He explained that CETAG representatives would consult with their council before officially calling off the strike. Bunu expressed confidence in the resolution of the issues at hand, which he attributed to the council’s directives. He assured that once the council is informed, CETAG will proceed with ending the strike.
Bunu also expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision to pay the delayed July and August salaries, which was a significant concern for the teachers. He added that CETAG members are prepared to meet with the Principals of Colleges of Education to discuss the implementation of a new academic calendar once the payments are made.
“At the end of August, the July salaries will be paid together with those for August. We have made a commitment that once this is fulfilled, we will return to work,” Bunu stated, highlighting the positive outcome of the negotiations.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, also expressed his appreciation for CETAG’s willingness to engage in dialogue and resolve the prolonged strike. He emphasized the importance of the progress made in the discussions and expressed his satisfaction with the results.
Overall, the successful negotiations mark a significant step forward in addressing the concerns of CETAG members, paving the way for the resumption of academic activities in the Colleges of Education across the country. The resolution of the strike is expected to bring relief to students and educators alike, as both parties look forward to resuming normal academic operations.
