The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has announced the immediate withdrawal of all its services across the nation’s colleges of education. This decision, made during an emergency National Council meeting on Tuesday, July 23, is in response to the government’s recent directive to withhold their July salaries.
In a statement distributed to all local and zonal branches of CETAG, as well as principals of colleges of education, the Association detailed the services affected by the strike. These include attending meetings, supervising students in residence halls, providing academic counseling, and participating in congregation ceremonies. The suspension of these activities will remain in effect until further notice, the leadership noted.
CETAG had already withdrawn their teaching services in June this year to protest the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions. CETAG’s demands include the payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022, and the application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public universities to deserving CETAG members.
However, on Monday, July 22, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission issued a directive on the instruction of the Ministry of Education, announcing the suspension of July salaries for the striking tutors. This move, intended to compel tutors to return to the lecture halls, has instead escalated the situation, leading to the total withdrawal of their services.
CETAG’s leadership condemned the salary freeze as illegal and has referred the matter to their lawyers for immediate action. The association remains steadfast in its determination to continue the fight until what they describe as “justice” is served.
“We wish to assure all members that leadership is determined to fight on until justice is served,” the statement read, emphasizing the union’s commitment to its cause.
