The Unemployed teacher trainees of the 2023 batch of Colleges of Education are threatening to hit the streets by November 10.
According to them, they will hit the streets to protest if the government fails to give a definite timeline for their recruitment into the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The Graduates from the 2023 batch of Colleges of Education revealed they have completed their national service and passed the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination.
They asserted that they have been waiting for nearly two years now without a posting from the government despite petitioning the Finance Ministry, Education Ministry and the GES countless times.
Vice President of the Concerned Unemployed Teacher Trainees, Eshun De-Graft Brown, speaking on Channel One, stated, “We were even asking for a clear timeline for our recruitment, but since we’ve not heard anything, I am told on Monday the Public Accounts Committee will be meeting the Minister of Education.
We want to know when clearance will be given to us,” he said on the Channel One Newsroom on Sunday, November 2.
“By roughly the 10th of November, we are planning to hit the streets if we do not hear any clear timeline from either GES, the Ministry of Education, or the Ministry of Finance,” he warned.
However, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has announced that the Cabinet has approved the absorption of 6,200 teachers working for over eight months without pay.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, the decision comes following the affected teachers who petitioned his ministry over their pay.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “A few weeks ago, myself and the Chief Director received a petition from some teachers who were unhappy with the government over their unending work for a number of months without their pay,” he said. “I’m happy to announce that the Cabinet has given approval for the 6,200 teachers to be absorbed. We’ll begin the process in due course.”
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has been authorised to allocate about GH¢1.1 billion to cover payments for both health workers and teachers.
“Cabinet gave the Minister of Finance approval to vire about GH¢1.1 billion to absorb a category of health workers and teachers. The process will start soon, so there’s no need for further picketing.”
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry had organised a two-day stakeholder consultation as part of preparations for the 2026 Annual Budget.
The consultations brought together representatives from “Banking and Non-Banking Financial Institutions, Think Tanks, Professional Bodies, Trade Organisations, Social Partners, and other organised groups. Also in attendance were Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), Academia, and various Associations”.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, stated, “Today’s engagement provides an avenue for Government to listen to your perspectives, your proposals, and your expectations as we shape the 2026 Budget. The insights gathered from stakeholders such as yourselves will guide us to design policies that promote growth, equity, and resilience”.
“The recent successful staff-level agreement with the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility, and the credit rating upgrade by Moody’s, reaffirm international confidence in Ghana’s economic direction” he said.