The Minister for Labour Relations, Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, says his ministry is actively engaging the concerns raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
Speaking on Morning Target with Bright Nana Amfoh on Bullet TV, Dr. Pelpuo admitted that he was caught off guard by the strike action, despite having received prior warnings from the association.
“This situation has taken me by surprise even though they had written to me and gave a threat as to their decision to go strike. It came not within the space when I could intervene,” Dr. Pelpuo said.
He noted that efforts are underway to resolve the impasse.
“We are trying to create a conducive atmosphere for us to sit down and resolve this matter. The issues they are striking on have been taken up fully by the Ministry,” he added.
Dr. Pelpuo expressed regret over the lack of further engagement with CETAG before the strike was declared.
The Minister revealed that when he first assumed office, about ten organizations had written to him announcing their intention to strike. That number, he noted, has since dropped to two, a development he attributed to the space created for stakeholder engagement.
“For me, the most important achievement is that we can listen to each other,” the Minister added.
Background
Teaching activities in Colleges of Education across the country have ground to a halt as CETAG members continue their indefinite strike over the government’s failure to fully implement their 2023 Conditions of Service.
The association declared the strike on Monday, November 24, citing government’s persistent delay in executing the National Labour Commission (NLC) arbitral award issued on May 2, 2024. CETAG says the government’s inaction has left them with no choice but to withdraw all services across the country’s 46 Colleges of Education.
Key Grievances
– Non-payment of compensation for additional duties performed in 2022 across 39 colleges, with only partial payment made to the Accra College of Education.
– Outstanding Book and Research Allowance arrears for the 2023/2024 and 2022/2023 academic years.
– Unpaid Book and Research Top-up arrears for the 2021/2022 academic year owed to Akrokerri College of Education.
– Downgrading of experienced teaching staff holding master’s degrees, which CETAG says undermines professional dignity and violates agreed conditions of service and the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
The strike has paralyzed academic work nationwide, with both CETAG and the Ministry of Labour Relations under pressure to reach a resolution.
Source: Ebenezer De-Gaulle
