We are dedicated to addressing CETAG’s strike action — Prof. Jinapor

   The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and ensuring that its members are promptly transitioned to the university salary structure.

GTEC also pledged to ensure the timely payment of all outstanding funds owed to the colleges of education, a move aimed at resolving issues that have contributed to the ongoing strike action by CETAG.

In a crucial meeting held in Accra to resolve the ongoing dispute, CETAG, led by President Maxwell Bunu, stated that the association would revert to its national council to determine the next steps. The decision to call off the strike was not made unilaterally by the executive, who emphasized the need for consultation with the council.

Professor Ahmed Jinapor, the Director-General of GTEC, expressed concerns about the timing of the strike, describing it as “wrong and unhealthy.” He pointed out that with the release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and the ongoing admission process, it would be unjust to leave students in limbo. The services of the teachers were essential, and a strike that resulted in the shutdown of the colleges of education could disrupt the academic calendar.

Professor Jinapor called for swift consultations, urging that the discussions should take hours, not days, in order to minimize disruption to the academic schedule. He acknowledged the importance of resolving the issue quickly and expressed hope that a resolution would be reached soon.

Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, and other stakeholders participated in an open discussion aimed at finding a solution. Both parties expressed their intent to bring good news to the public at the next meeting.

While CETAG welcomed the call for the strike to be resolved, the association emphasized the need for fairness and speed in addressing the concerns. The strike was declared following an Emergency National Council meeting of CETAG on December 30, 2024. A statement issued on December 31, 2024, cited the government’s failure to address earlier notices of strike served in September and December 2024, as well as the violation of signed agreements and unresolved issues related to compulsory arbitration awards issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on May 2, 2023.

GTEC’s mission is to ensure equitable access to quality education by formulating policies, coordinating plans, and providing accreditation and quality assurance across the education sector. As the colleges of education are set to reopen on January 13, 2025, there is an expectation that tutors will resume their duties and that lectures will begin as scheduled.

In conclusion, while GTEC and the government remain committed to resolving the outstanding issues with CETAG, the parties are working to address concerns promptly to prevent further disruption to the academic calendar and to ensure that students can continue their education without interruption.

   The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has expressed its firm commitment to addressing the grievances raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG). GTEC has assured that efforts are underway to swiftly transition members of CETAG onto the university salary structure and to clear all outstanding payments due to the colleges of education. The move follows the ongoing strike action declared by CETAG, which stems from long-standing concerns regarding issues that have yet to be resolved.

In a key meeting held in Accra aimed at addressing the concerns leading to the strike, CETAG’s leadership, under the presidency of Maxwell Bunu, acknowledged the discussions but stated that the next course of action would require approval from the national council of CETAG. As such, the decision to call off the strike could not be made unilaterally by the executive members without consulting the council.

Professor Ahmed Jinapor, the Director-General of GTEC, noted that the timing of the strike action was unfortunate and could have negative consequences for the academic calendar. He explained that the ongoing strike, coinciding with the release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and the admission processes, would leave students vulnerable if the colleges of education remained closed. He further highlighted the importance of CETAG’s members resuming their duties as soon as possible to ensure minimal disruption to the education system.

In his comments, Professor Jinapor stressed the urgency of reaching a swift resolution and urged that the necessary consultations and deliberations should not take days but should occur within hours to allow for the smooth resumption of lectures and teaching activities. The Director-General reiterated that the government and all relevant stakeholders were working together to resolve the issues as soon as possible to minimize the negative impact on students.

In a candid and open discussion with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, both GTEC and CETAG representatives expressed optimism that the next meeting would yield positive news for all parties involved. The parties emphasized that a resolution to the dispute was necessary in order to avoid further disruptions to the academic calendar and to ensure that the education system continued to operate smoothly.

CETAG, on its part, acknowledged the call to find a solution quickly but stressed the need for fairness and transparency in addressing the concerns of its members. The strike action was declared following an Emergency National Council meeting held by CETAG on December 30, 2024. In a statement issued shortly after, CETAG explained that the strike followed previous notices submitted to the government in September and December 2024, which had not resulted in satisfactory resolutions. The statement also pointed to the government’s failure to address signed agreements and the unresolved compulsory arbitration award issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on May 2, 2023.

In light of these developments, GTEC reiterated its role in ensuring equitable access to quality education across Ghana. The commission is responsible for overseeing the formulation and coordination of educational policies, accreditation, and quality assurance, with a specific focus on maintaining a high standard of education across all levels. As the colleges of education are set to reopen on January 13, 2025, both GTEC and CETAG hope that the issues will be resolved promptly, allowing for the resumption of academic activities.

It is expected that by the time the colleges of education reopen, the teaching staff will have returned to their posts, and classes will resume as planned. This outcome is crucial not only for the academic development of the students but also for the broader goals of educational advancement and national development. Stakeholders from GTEC, the government, and CETAG are committed to ensuring that the concerns of educators are addressed fairly and that teaching can continue without further delays. The parties remain focused on ensuring that Ghana’s educational sector remains strong, resilient, and capable of providing quality education to its students.