Unpaid Teachers Threaten Indefinite Protest Over Salary Arrears

The Coalition of Unpaid Teachers has announced plans to embark on an indefinite protest at the Ministry of Finance beginning Wednesday, April 15, 2026, if government fails to present a clear roadmap for settling their salary arrears.

National Organiser of the group, Eugene Zoranu Segbefia, disclosed the decision in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, citing prolonged delays in payments affecting members across the country.

According to him, some teachers have worked for between seven and 18 months without receiving salaries, raising concerns about their welfare and the government’s commitment to its obligations.

“We have teachers who have worked between seven and 18 months without salaries. As we speak, we don’t even know whether the government will fulfil its obligation to us,” he said.

Mr Segbefia noted that although the coalition has engaged key stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education, no concrete payment timeline has been communicated.

He explained that while authorities indicated that a memo had been exchanged between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, the lack of progress remains troubling.

“The Minister listened to our concerns and promised to expedite the process. But as we speak, we are only seeing recruitment ongoing, while those of us already working have not been paid,” he added.

The coalition has also questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that it is unjust to recruit new teachers while those already in the system remain unpaid.

“We are already in the classrooms working, yet we are not being paid. Why recruit more teachers when you cannot even pay those already in the system?” he queried.

Mr Segbefia further expressed frustration over what he described as disparities in the treatment of public sector workers, noting that nurses who underwent similar processes are expected to begin receiving arrears from April.

The group had earlier given the government a deadline of April 12, 2026, to provide a payment plan. However, with no response received, the coalition says it will escalate its actions.

“Tomorrow, April 15, we are hitting the streets. And we are not leaving anytime soon,” he declared.

The coalition is demanding direct engagement with top government officials, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, or the Chief of Staff, insisting the protest will continue until a clear payment plan is secured.

Mr Segbefia added that members are prepared for a prolonged demonstration, with some travelling from Kumasi and Tamale to join the protest in Accra.

“We are coming with our belongings. Some colleagues are travelling from Kumasi and Tamale. We are prepared to sleep at the Ministry of Finance until we get a payment plan. That is the last thing we will do,” he stated.