PRETAG threatens to intensify strike over unpaid teacher entitlements

The Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) has warned that it could intensify its ongoing strike if the government fails to settle outstanding payments owed to teachers within the shortest possible time.

The warning comes after a meeting between the striking teacher unions and the government over concerns surrounding unpaid entitlements and other outstanding financial obligations to teachers.

Speaking to Citi News, PRETAG Communications Director Kingsley Anyimadu said the association will now engage its regional and district councils to brief them on the outcome of the meeting with the government and determine the next steps.

“We are going to talk to our constituents, that is, the regional and district councils. Once we have communicated to them that ‘this is what we discussed at the meeting with the minister yesterday,’ they will agree,” he said.

Mr Anyimadu said the consultations could pave the way for further action if the government fails to meet its commitments.

He also stressed that the scale of the ongoing strike demonstrates the seriousness of the teachers’ concerns, claiming that almost 99 per cent of schools were without teachers as a result of the industrial action.

“We need to meet our constituents, and probably we can even escalate the strike action with more actions. Even if it will take the government one or two months to pay, then we will be on strike until they pay,” he told Citi News.

According to him, PRETAG will first consult its regional and district councils before deciding on whether to intensify the strike.

Mr Anyimadu, however, expressed hope that the government would resolve the payment issues quickly to allow teachers to return to the classroom.

“We will be very grateful if payments are made within the shortest possible time so that we can return to the classroom. No one takes delight in staying home, but the right thing must be done,” he added.

PRETAG’s planned consultations are therefore expected to determine whether the current industrial action will continue in its present form or be intensified if the outstanding payment concerns remain unresolved.