The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning Friday, September 19, 2025, in protest against what it describes as government’s continued delay in signing their conditions of service.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of TEWU, King James Azortibah, the Union demanded the immediate signing of the conditions of service covering TEWU-TUC Ghana, all junior staff of public and technical universities, as well as non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Azortibah also called for the inclusion of other institutions in key benefits being provided by government.
“Staff of the Ghana Library Authority and the Museums and Monuments Board must also be included in the payment of the GES non-teaching staff Continuous Professional Development Allowance in September 2025,” the statement noted.
Beyond the signing of agreements, the Union raised serious concerns about delays in promotions and inconsistencies in compensation for staff who have been promoted. According to TEWU, there are grievances involving staff who successfully passed interviews but remain unpaid on their new salary scales, others placed on new scales but denied official promotion letters, and several who have received no communication after attending interviews.
The Union placed direct responsibility for the stalemate on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), calling for urgent intervention. “The government—particularly the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission—must be held accountable. The FWSC must conclude and sign all conditions of service without further delays or excuses,” TEWU stated.
Issuing a stern warning to employers, the General Secretary stressed that any attempt to suppress the strike would be treated as a breach of labour rights. “All employers should note that it shall constitute an unfair labour practice should any employer prevent or intimidate any of our members—non-teaching staff of the GES, public and technical universities, Ghana Library Authority, and the Museums and Monuments Board—from exercising their lawful rights to strike.”
He further emphasized that TEWU had exercised patience and restraint before embarking on this action. “TEWU has exercised patience and restraint. We have followed due process and exhausted all legal requirements under the Labour Act of Ghana. The responsibility for the disruption of industrial peace in the education sector rests squarely with the government and its agencies.”
The Union, therefore, urged employers to respect its directive and refrain from any acts that could infringe on the rights of its members. “We therefore urge all employers to respect this directive and refrain from any action that will infringe on the rights of our members,” the statement concluded.
