The Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) led by Hon. Soale Razak has scheduled a press conference on 29th July, 2024 at Accra College of Education to address the seemingly unending Colleges of Education Teachers Association of CETAG strike action. The strike which started on 14th June, 2024 has left students across the 46 public Colleges of Education stranded. All academic activities have been on halt. Hon Soale Razak together with the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana have invite all media houses in the country to address issues with regards to the ongoing strike action.
We bring you the genesis of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of (CETAG) strike action. In a post made by William Boadi, Executive Director, Educate Africa Institute (EAI), he stated that there have been ongoing negotiations regarding the Conditions of Service affecting the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG). This issue has persisted since August 2021, when negotiations began between CETAG and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), aiming for a conclusion by November 2021 and implementation in January 2022.
Unfortunately, delays by FWSC which CETAG term it to be deliberate, led to a strike by CETAG in December 2021. Following a meeting with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on January 10, 2022, assurances were made for swift negotiations, leading CETAG to suspend the strike.
However, negotiations stalled again, prompting another strike in December 2022. Despite assurances from the Minister of Education on December 7, 2022, to resolve issues within two weeks, there was no progress made. This lead to CETAG resuming the strike action on January 6, 2023.
The National Labour Commission (NLC) intervened, but despite their arbitration award on May 2, 2023, which modified the implementation date to January 1, 2023, and awarded one month’s salary as compensation (instead of the requested two months), FWSC was unable to comply by October 30, 2023.
CETAG diligently pursued compliance through legal channels, prompting NLC to issue directives to FWSC on August 31, 2023, and again on August 31, 2024, yet FWSC continued to delay. Efforts to challenge the arbitration award by GTEC and others were met with strong resistance from CETAG, emphasizing the binding nature of the award.
Recent misinformation attempts by GTEC and NLC, including false claims of payments and misleading statements regarding academic assessments, have further complicated the situation. CETAG remains committed to its members’ rights under the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and the Constitution of Ghana.
The release further stated that the Educate Africa Institute are deeply concerned by recent actions to suppress CETAG through legal intimidation, including NLC’s injunction attempts against our lawful strike actions.
As Director of Educate Africa Institute, he urges the government to adopt a more responsible and proactive approach. Halting July salaries for CETAG members is an unjustifiable tactic that does not address the underlying issues. Such actions only exacerbate tensions.
The Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana has stated that, ccoming Monday, 29th July 2024, they will hold a Press Conference to express their displeasure on the CETAG’s “DESTINY STRIKE” and other happenings in the Colleges of Education that are uncalled for.
Stay tuned for updates from the PRESS CONFERENCE on Monday, 29th July, 2024.
Good initiative 🔥