New teachers threaten protest over 12-month salary arrears
A group of newly posted teachers has announced plans to stage a demonstration on 23 September, citing prolonged delays in the payment of their salaries.
The group, made up of graduates from Colleges of Education and universities, claims some of its members have gone unpaid for as long as 12 months, while others have not received salaries for eight months.
At a press briefing in Accra, the teachers described their situation as devastating, stressing that the delays have left them unable to afford basic needs such as rent, food, utilities and medical care.
“Many of us can no longer pay our overdue rent. We are unable to settle utility bills, and even basic needs such as food and medical expenses have become a struggle. Sadly, this has already led to the loss of lives among some colleagues,” the group said.
The Lead Convener, Simon Kofi Nartey, appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene by directing the Ministry of Finance to release the necessary funds.
“We know His Excellency is a listening president. We humbly call for his urgent intervention to ensure that the Ministry of Finance releases the funds needed to pay our arrears and salaries without further delay,” he noted.
The group further warned that if by the end of September they are not issued staff ID numbers, validated and paid their arrears, they will take to the streets.
“We will stage a massive demonstration on the principal streets of Accra to register our displeasure and highlight the hardship we are enduring,” the group added.
