Government spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed the President’s intervention during an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday.He said the President had been fully briefed on the situation and had instructed the relevant authorities to pursue all necessary measures to bring the industrial action to an end.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that government recognises the critical role teachers play in national development and cannot afford prolonged disruptions to pre-tertiary education.
He expressed optimism that ongoing discussions between the relevant stakeholders would produce a breakthrough within days, allowing teachers to return to the classroom.
Payment Discrepancies at Centre of Dispute
Explaining the issues underlying the strike, the government spokesperson identified discrepancies involving information from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) as a major concern requiring urgent resolution.
According to him, the Finance Ministry and the Accountant-General’s Department have indicated that they have fulfilled their respective responsibilities in the payment process.
However, differences in the information provided by the institutions have created a gap that must be reconciled to facilitate the resolution of the dispute.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu maintained that government remains committed to settling outstanding payments to affected teachers, insisting that the necessary clarification and reconciliation processes are ongoing.
Presidential Intervention Remains an Option
Although the immediate responsibility for resolving the impasse rests with the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, Mr Kwakye Ofosu indicated that the President could intervene directly if negotiations reach a deadlock.
He, however, expressed confidence in the ongoing engagements and suggested that the matter could be resolved without further escalation.
The strike has raised concerns among parents, students and education stakeholders over the disruption of academic activities, particularly at the pre-tertiary level.
Government’s latest assurances come amid increasing pressure to restore normal teaching and learning, with attention now focused on whether the ongoing negotiations will produce a timely agreement between the government and the striking unions.
The immediate priority remains resolving the outstanding concerns and ensuring teachers return to the classroom without further disruption to the academic calendar.
