Ms. Gifty Twum Ampofo, the Deputy Minister of Education overseeing Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has made an appeal to the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to reconsider their ongoing strike action. She urged them to engage in negotiations with the government to find a solution to their grievances.
CETAG had issued a statement directing its members to refrain from their duties until the employer fully adhered to the directives of the National Labour Commission (NLC).
On August 1, 2023, educators in the 46 colleges of education across the nation suspended their services, citing the government’s failure to comply with the NLC’s Arbitral Award Orders and the mutually agreed terms of service established since May 2, 2023.
Despite repeated notifications to the Ministry of Finance, the expected negotiations have not yet commenced, resulting in an ongoing deadlock that is detrimentally affecting educational operations.
Acknowledging the legitimacy of CETAG’s concerns, the Deputy Education Minister assured them that the Minister of Education is actively working to address these matters.
Speaking during the 14th Congregation of Mount Mary College of Education in Somanya, Eastern Region, the Deputy Minister underscored the importance of transparent communication and collaborative efforts to reach a resolution that benefits all stakeholders.
“Our appeal is directed at CETAG, urging them to acknowledge the continuous efforts of the minister to find a solution. We implore them to return to the negotiation table to facilitate the achievement of a lasting resolution. This is a sincere request, as all parties involved in these negotiations are putting in significant efforts to ensure a swift resolution,” she conveyed.
She went on, “Negotiations often require flexibility from all sides. Hence, we humbly request a more conciliatory approach to expedite the process and arrive at a favorable conclusion.”
Dr. Cecelia Esinam Agbeh, the Principal of Mount Mary College of Education, expressed worry about the impact of the ongoing disagreement between the government and CETAG on the college’s operations. This dispute is directly affecting the quality of teaching and learning. She urged the Ministry of Education to promptly address CETAG’s concerns to prevent further negative consequences.
“We earnestly implore the Ministry to swiftly intervene by addressing the issues with CETAG, thus averting potential repercussions,” Dr. Agbeh emphasized.
She also appealed to the Ministry of Finance to provide the necessary financial clearance for recruiting both teaching and non-teaching staff, addressing the college’s urgent staffing requirements in a timely manner.
Leave feedback about this