Teachers suspend nationwide strike on humanitarian grounds

Striking teachers from the colleges of education across the country have suspended their two weeks strike on humanitarian grounds.

The teachers said they have called off the strike in response to pleas from students and civil society groups.

They have, however, given government up to September to address their grievances.

Joseph Nkyi Asamoah, National President of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association, told Joy News the decision to suspend the strike was taken at a meeting Saturday.

“We met yesterday and then we put all these things before them...we said that well we are not calling off the strike because we had also received a letter from the National Labour Commission (NLC)...that they want to intervene,” he said.

“They (NLC) also suggested that before we come there we should make sure that we do away with the action so we decided at the council’s meeting that because of these considerations we will suspend it,” Joseph Nkyi Asamoah added.

The teachers withdrew their services mid June, citing unjust treatment and their continued placement under the Ghana Education Service.

They said the new status of the colleges as tertiary institutions comes with additional responsibilities, and must be commensurate with their salaries.