In a swift response to mounting pressure from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate promotion of all eligible deputy directors of education across the country.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu made the announcement on Thursday, April 24, at the launch of the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative for schoolgirls. The move comes just days before GNAT’s planned April 30 strike over long-delayed promotions within the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Addressing educators directly, the Minister acknowledged frustrations among deputy directors who have remained stagnant in their roles due to a lack of office space. “President Mahama has directed that all qualified deputy directors be promoted—office or no office,” he assured. “They will serve in full capacity as directors, regardless of infrastructure constraints.”
The decision signals a proactive approach by the Mahama administration to defuse rising tensions in the education sector while reinforcing morale among senior teaching staff.
The promotion directive accompanied the unveiling of a major menstrual health policy aimed at distributing free sanitary pads to girls in primary and secondary schools. The programme, also championed by President Mahama, is expected to reduce absenteeism, tackle menstrual poverty, and foster equal educational opportunities for girls.
With the dual announcement, the government is framing education reform as a central pillar of national development—boosting both teacher motivation and student well-being in one strategic sweep.
