2nd Meeting Between Teacher Unions And Government Over Strike Action Inconclusive

The meeting between teacher unions and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations over the ongoing strike action has been adjourned to Tuesday, November 8.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Graduate Teachers and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers have all declared an indefinite nationwide strike to register their displeasure over the appointment of the new Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr. Eric Nkansah.

The government as part of efforts to end the strike action has held meetings on two occasions with the teacher unions. The second of such meeting was held On Monday, November 7 with both parties unable to come to a conclusion on the matter.

The Employment and Labour Relations Minister, his Deputy, Bright Wereko Brobbey, the leadership of the three teacher unions and representatives from the Ghana Education Service were all present at the meeting.

GNAT President, Isaac Owusu briefed the media after the meeting on Monday.

He said, “the two parties have agreed that we should adjourn and continue tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2:00pm to continue with the deliberations…we shall conclude tomorrow, so be rest assured. Certainly, tomorrow when we meet, the outcome will be before you,” he noted.

Mr. Isaac Owusu, however, failed to provide details of discussions at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has assured that government will restore teaching and learning activities in pre-tertiary institutions.

Speaking to JoyNews on the sidelines of the meeting, the Spokesperson of the GES, Yaw Opoku Mensah expressed optimism to end the strike action by the three teacher unions before close of the week.

“We expect that today, probably I am hopeful that finality will be brought to this. There will be a closure on the matter by both parties. We do not expect the strike to drag for long, tomorrow or today we could see a positive response because I am confident with the kind of engagement that has gone on so far and both parties are committed to the cause,” he said.

According to Isaac Owusu, the strike action is still in force until negotiations have been concluded.