Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has defended the government’s handling of recent teacher salary delays, explaining that many of the aggrieved graduate teachers picketing at the Ghana Education Service (GES) were employed without proper financial clearance.
The Minister’s comments come in response to growing frustration among newly posted teachers who have been at post for several months without pay.
Speaking to the picketing teachers, Iddrisu clarified that the previous administration issued 39,000 appointment letters without securing the necessary financial clearance, a move he described as problematic. “Appointment letters were issued to persons numbering up to 39,000 when there was no financial clearance to do that. That is problematic, so of the 39,000, probably the government may be able to absorb nine, eleven, or twelve thousand, but certainly not 39,000,” he stated.
Iddrisu further indicated that the current administration is conducting a thorough audit to determine which of these appointments can be validated based on qualifications, legitimate postings, and budget availability.
He urged the teachers to exercise patience as the audit continues, emphasizing that only those with the right credentials and verified postings will be absorbed.
Meanwhile, the protesting teachers, some of whom have been at post for up to nine months without pay, continue to push for immediate resolution. Myers Assibi Akudbilla, one of the aggrieved teachers, described her experience as deeply frustrating.
“I came here mainly because of my staff ID, or let me say, the recruitment process. I had my appointment dated 8th November. I went to the region for my regional posting letter, but when I got to the school, I was asked to go for my IPPD document to be processed. When I got there, the revocation had started, so my IPPD couldn’t be processed. As it stands now, I am at post in the Ashanti Region, but I do not know my fate,” she said.
The issue has gained significant attention, with some teachers attempting to draw the President’s attention during a recent visit to the Ashanti Region, only to have their concerns go unaddressed as his convoy moved past them.
