The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has expressed deep frustration over what it describes as the government’s persistent failure to honour a binding arbitral award issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on May 2, 2023.
In a statement issued on October 27, 2025, CETAG said the award, which sought to resolve long-standing grievances and ensure fair compensation for lecturers in Colleges of Education, remains largely unimplemented despite numerous engagements and assurances from government officials.
The Association said it was particularly disappointed by the government’s failure to pay the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance arrears, which was agreed with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on April 30, 2025.
According to CETAG, the payment was supposed to be made together with the 2024/2025 Book and Research Allowance.
The group also lamented the continued delay in the payment of a top-up for the 2022 Book and Research Allowance due to lecturers at Akrokerri College of Education, describing it as another example of unfulfilled promises despite repeated assurances.
CETAG further raised concerns about other unresolved issues currently before the NLC, including “All-Year-Round Work compensation for the remaining thirty-nine (39) Colleges of Education for additional duty performed in 2022. The downgrading of experienced staff, which undermines professional dignity and deeply demotivates staff. The non-payment of the 2022/2023 Book and Research Allowance Arrears which is also contingent on our migration onto the university salary structure.”
The Association stated that the government’s failure to address these matters amounts to a breach of trust and disregard for labour laws. “The NLC’s arbitral award is not optional but binding on the government of the day,” the statement emphasized.
CETAG warned that if the government does not fully implement all outstanding components of the NLC arbitral award by the end of October 2025, the Association will be compelled to “advise itself.”
It further noted that should government fail to meet all obligations by November 7, 2025, it would consider that a strike notice across all Colleges of Education in Ghana.
The group cautioned that any resulting industrial action would continue until “the last pesewa owed CETAG is paid,” and urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent disruptions in the 2025/2026 academic calendar.
CETAG called on all stakeholders, particularly the NLC, to ensure that the welfare and rights of teacher educators are respected and that the government upholds its obligations under the law.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
