The Ghana Education Service (GES) will submit all necessary documents by Monday, October 5, to settle ongoing payment issues for about 60,000 teachers, the head of its public relations has confirmed.
Daniel Fenyi spoke on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, saying GES is working closely with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to resolve the matter. He said the priority is to ensure teachers receive their payment without delay.
“I would very much hesitate to start blame games,” Fenyi said. “Teachers need their money.”
The payment dispute involves both teaching and non-teaching staff, but Fenyi clarified that the majority affected are teachers, numbering roughly 59,000 to 60,000. The problem has stalled some salaries, causing concern among educators.
Fenyi explained that teacher unions see the Ministry of Education, GES, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department as one team during negotiations. He called it unfortunate that blame has started circulating within government circles over the payment delays.
He added that the Education Minister met with teacher unions on Monday and assured them that the payment issues are being addressed. The minister instructed GES to collaborate with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to provide all required documentation.
“The minister has also mentioned that in case of the insistence on some input forms and documentation, GES should be able to provide,” Fenyi said. These documents include input forms, promotion letters, and other necessary files.
GES had initially thought the affected teachers could be processed through automatic placement, based on an agreement reached on August 31. However, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department insisted on having the input forms to complete their work.
Mr Fenyi said GES staff are working around the clock at their headquarters to meet the October 5 deadline. He stressed the Service is taking a positive, collaborative approach with teacher unions and other stakeholders.
He also corrected earlier confusion about a 4 p.m. deadline, saying it applies to Monday, October 5, not Monday, September 28.
“I can confirm to you from the GES headquarters that, as we speak, there are even some people still at the headquarters working around the clock,” Fenyi said. “Trust us that we will work around the clock to make sure that their desires are really met, so that they can return to the classroom.”
He acknowledged the pressure GES has faced but expressed confidence in meeting the deadline. The Service wants to avoid any disruption to the academic calendar, which it says is now stabilised.
“We have stabilised the calendar,” Fenyi said. “We have worked under pressure. We have met a couple of deadlines.”
The payment dispute has kept many teachers waiting for their salaries, affecting their financial stability and raising concerns about interruptions to teaching. GES’s promise to resolve the issue by October 5 will be closely watched by educators and unions.
For now, GES is focused on submitting the required documents and working with the relevant departments to clear the backlog. The end of this latest deadline will set the tone for how quickly the salary issues can be fixed and teaching can continue without further delays.
According to Joy Online.
