GTEC appeals to CETAG to call off indefinite strike

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has appealed to the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to call off its indefinite strike, which began on January 2, 2025.

This development follows a closed-door meeting between GTEC and CETAG after the latter declared the strike during an Emergency National Council meeting on December 30, 2024, according to a report by citinewsroom.com.

In a press statement issued after the meeting, GTEC’s Director-General, Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, criticised the timing of the strike, describing it as poorly conceived and detrimental to academic activities, the report noted.

He stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that the strike coincided with the ongoing admissions process, which began shortly after the release of WAEC results.

“We find it extremely, extremely unfortunate that you are withdrawing all services. That means a total shutdown of the institutions, and this is something that GTEC is totally against. So we’ve asked them to go back and reconsider their decision, at best to call off the strike and, if for nothing at all, at the time that admissions are going on. WAEC results were released just two days ago; for you to withdraw all your services, then it means that you can’t do admissions.

“When students come to us to choose courses, you should be the person to guide them. So, if you say you’ve withdrawn all your services, then we find it extremely, extremely problematic. That notwithstanding, the commission is very committed to getting you migrated to the university,” he stated.

CETAG's decision to embark on an indefinite strike stems from unresolved grievances, including the government’s non-compliance with National Labour Commission (NLC) arbitration awards, delayed migration of staff onto affiliate universities’ pay structures, and unpaid compensation for work done in 2022, among other concerns.

The association announced the strike in a statement dated December 31, 2024, citing the government’s failure to meet its obligations despite multiple notifications.

JKB/MA

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