CETAG Suspends Strike; Govt Resolves Migration Onto University Grades Structure Issue

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has announced the resolution of the long-standing issue regarding the migration of Colleges of Education staff onto the public universities grade structure, addressing key concerns raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

In a statement released on Monday, January 27, 2025, the FWSC disclosed that the government constituted a Migration Committee on August 29, 2024, to tackle the matter.

The committee, comprising representatives from FWSC, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), Ministry of Education (MoE), and the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), successfully facilitated the migration.

“We are pleased to announce that the outstanding issue of migrating the staff of the Colleges of Education onto the University grades structure has been resolved. The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department paid beneficiaries during the January 2025 payment window,” the statement confirmed.

Additionally, the FWSC reported that the research allowance top-up has been paid to all Colleges of Education, except Akrokerri College of Education, whose payment is currently being processed.

The FWSC commended stakeholders, including GTEC, MoF, CAGD, MoE, and PRINCOF, for their collective efforts in addressing CETAG’s concerns. With the resolution of the migration issue, the Commission has called on CETAG to end its strike and allow academic activities to resume across the Colleges of Education.

“We assure CETAG that the government is committed to resolving any post-migration issues that may arise and encourage a harmonious approach to ensuring the smooth operation of the Colleges of Education,” the statement added.

 

Call to End Strike Action

The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has announced the immediate suspension of its three-week industrial action following a decision made by the association’s National Council during a virtual meeting on Friday, January 24, 2025.

The decision to suspend the strike was based on multiple factors, including the employer’s goodwill in migrating staff to the University Salary Structure as part of the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitration Awards.

Additionally, the appointment of a new Minister of Education, who has expressed a commitment to engaging CETAG to swiftly resolve outstanding issues, contributed to the decision.

The association also acknowledged the negative impact the strike was having on college students and the broader academic community.

Despite the suspension, CETAG emphasized that several unresolved issues from the arbitration awards and migration process still require attention from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD).

 

The outstanding issues include:

Payment of All Year Round Work Compensation (AYRWC) for additional work done in 2022 across 42 Colleges.

Payment of arrears for the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance, dependent on the implementation of the arbitral award granted by the NLC on May 2, 2023.

Payment of 2022/2023 Book and Research Allowance Top-Up arrears for deserving staff at Akrokerri College of Education.

Non-migration and improper placement of certain association members.

 

CETAG leadership expressed gratitude for the support and loyalty shown by members during the strike, urging them to resume work immediately.

They reassured members that ongoing efforts will continue to address these issues and ensure that all concerns are resolved.

The association also acknowledged the contributions of the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), FWSC, GTEC, CAGD, and the media for their support during the final stages of the migration process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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