Hundreds of aggrieved teachers from the 2022 batch of Colleges of Education graduates staged a dramatic protest at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters on Monday, demanding the immediate release of their staff identification numbers (IDs) and the payment of 10 months’ salary arrears.
The teachers, who were officially posted to various schools across the country on August 1, 2024, say they have been working under dire conditions without pay. Their frustration has boiled over into direct action after repeated efforts to seek redress failed.
“We’ve worked tirelessly in our classrooms, some in very deprived areas, only to be met with silence and excuses,” said one protester. “We are not here to fight — we are here to survive.”
Despite submitting a formal petition to the GES, the group claimed they were left unattended for over two hours without any official response. Tensions escalated when police officers arrived at the scene and issued a three-minute ultimatum, ultimately dispersing the crowd. Some teachers reportedly resisted, leading to chaotic scenes at the premises.
Unwilling to give up, the teachers announced plans to spend the night outside the GES offices. They also intend to march to the Ministry of Finance and petition Parliament to compel the government to address their grievances.
“When the MPs are going inside, we will draw their attention to what the government is putting us through. They should give us our staff IDs and the monies owed to us,” said one visibly distressed teacher.
Another added, “This isn’t just about money — it’s about dignity and justice for our profession.”
Despite the GES remaining tight-lipped on the issue, the teachers say they are determined to escalate their campaign until their demands are met.
