Coalition of Unpaid Teachers in Tamale Issues 14‑Day Ultimatum to Government – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

The Northern Region of Ghana is confronting a deepening crisis in its public‑school system as a coalition of unpaid teachers in Tamale has delivered a hard‑hitting 14‑day ultimatum to the national government. The group, formally known as the Coalition of Unpaid Teachers (CUT) in the Northern Region, demands immediate payment of two years of back‑pay, the release of all outstanding Staff IDs, and a halt to the piecemeal disbursement tactics that have left more than 250 educators living as “ghosts” in the education sector. With the deadline set for early February 2026, the ultimatum threatens to push the teachers out of classrooms if their grievances are not addressed, raising urgent questions about teacher salary arrears, legal obligations, and the broader impact on Ghana’s schooling outcomes. This article breaks down the key demands, the historical backdrop, the legal framework, and practical steps that stakeholders can take to resolve the situation.

Key Points

14‑Day Deadline

The coalition gave the government a clear 14‑working‑day deadline to settle all unpaid wages and issue Staff IDs. Failure to comply will trigger a withdrawal from classroom duties, effectively creating a de‑facto unpaid teachers strike in Tamale and surrounding districts.

Two Years of Salary Arrears

Teachers claim they have gone without pay since 2023, amounting to a total of two years of unpaid salaries. This period covers the 2023 and 2024 academic years, during which educators continued to deliver lessons despite severe financial hardship.

Staff IDs Release

The group insists that the government must release all pending Staff IDs immediately, rather than in a slow “trickle” that has been used to give false hope of imminent payment.

Accusations of Piecemeal Disbursements

Coalition members allege that the Ministry of Education has released Staff IDs in a sporadic fashion, encouraging teachers to believe that payment was “next month” while simultaneously pushing them into debt and financial ruin.

Appeal to Minister Haruna Iddrisu

The coalition directly appealed to Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, urging him to intervene as a former teacher and champion the living conditions of educators and their dependents.

Legal Implications Under Ghanaian Labor Law

If the government fails to meet the deadline, teachers may pursue legal remedies under the Ghana Labour Act (Act 651), which mandates timely payment of wages and imposes penalties for non‑compliance.

Background

Historical Context of Teacher Salary Delays in Ghana

Ghana’s public‑school system has long struggled with delayed payroll, especially in the Northern Region. In 2019, a similar wave of teacher salary arrears led to a nationwide protest that forced the Ministry of Finance to issue a special “salary clearing” directive. Despite this, recurring budget shortfalls and administrative bottlenecks have kept many educators unpaid for months, often years.

The Northern Region’s Unique Challenges

The Northern Region, home to Tamale, faces infrastructural constraints, limited transport networks, and a higher proportion of remote schools. These factors increase the difficulty of tracking payroll and issuing Staff IDs, which are essential for teachers to access benefits, pension contributions, and salary verification.

Staff IDs and Their Role in Compensation

A Staff ID is a government‑issued identification number that links a teacher to the Ghana Education Service payroll system. Without a valid ID, teachers cannot receive salary statements, pension contributions, or official recognition of their service. The coalition argues that the deliberate delay of Staff IDs amounts to a strategic withholding of payment.

Previous Government Responses

Past administrations have responded to teacher protests with temporary cash advances, “pay‑as‑you‑go” schemes, or promises of “next‑month” payments. Critics note that these measures often lack legal backing and fail to address the underlying systemic delays in the Ministry of Education’s payroll processing unit.

Analysis

Why the Coalition’s Demands Are Legally Sound

Under the Ghana Labour Act (Act 651), employers must pay wages within 30 days of the end of each pay period. The Ministry of Education, as the employer of public‑school teachers, is therefore legally obligated to settle any arrears promptly. The coalition’s 14‑day ultimatum aligns with the Act’s provisions for “prompt payment” and provides a reasonable timeframe for compliance.

Potential Consequences of Ignoring the Ultimatum

If the government does not meet the deadline, teachers could file a complaint with the Labour Department or seek an injunction through the courts. Such legal action would not only jeopardize the Ministry’s reputation but could also trigger penalties, including fines and mandatory back‑payment with interest. Moreover, a withdrawal from classrooms would disrupt learning for thousands of students, particularly in the Northern Region where school attendance rates are already vulnerable.

Impact on Student Learning and Community

Unpaid teachers often resort to taking on side jobs, borrowing money, or even leaving the profession entirely. This instability can translate into reduced instructional quality, higher teacher turnover, and a decline in student performance. In Tamale, where many schools rely on dedicated educators who have been teaching for decades, the loss of these teachers would exacerbate an already strained education system.

Government’s Likely Options

• Immediate cash infusion: Allocate emergency funds from the Ministry of Finance to clear the arrears within the 14‑day window.
• Streamline Staff ID issuance: Deploy a dedicated task force to expedite the release of all pending IDs, ensuring transparency.
• Engage in dialogue: Convene a tripartite meeting with the coalition, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Education Service to negotiate a realistic payment schedule.
• Legal compliance: Issue a formal acknowledgment of the legal obligations under the Labour Act, signaling seriousness of the matter.

International Perspective and Best Practices

Countries such as Kenya and Tanzania have faced similar teacher‑salary crises. Their experiences show that a combination of transparent payroll audits, digital ID systems, and strong ministerial oversight can prevent protracted disputes. Ghana could draw lessons from these cases to reform its payroll architecture and avoid future ultimatums.

Practical Advice

What Teachers Should Do Now

Teachers who belong to the coalition can take the following steps to protect their rights and ensure they are not left out of the payment process:

• Document every communication: Keep copies of letters, emails, and press releases sent to the Ministry of Education and the Labour Department.
• Seek legal counsel: Contact the Ghana Bar Association’s Labour Law Section for advice on filing a complaint under the Labour Act.
• Use social media responsibly: Share verified updates on official platforms (e.g., Life Pulse Daily) to avoid misinformation while amplifying pressure on the government.
• Maintain classroom presence: Continue teaching while awaiting payment to demonstrate goodwill and protect student learning.

How Parents and Community Leaders Can Help

Parents and community leaders can support the teachers by:

• Organizing awareness campaigns: Distribute flyers or hold town‑hall meetings to explain the impact of unpaid salaries on education quality.
• Lobbying local authorities: Request that district education offices report the situation to the regional office of the Ministry of Education.
• Providing temporary financial assistance: Set up community funds to help teachers cover essential expenses while the government resolves the arrears.

What Policymakers Should Prioritize

For decision‑makers at the national and regional level, the following actions are recommended:

• Conduct an urgent payroll audit: Identify all teachers in the Northern Region who are missing payments and Staff IDs.
• Allocate emergency budget: Use the 2026 fiscal year’s contingency fund to clear the arrears within the stipulated 14‑day period.
• Implement a digital Staff ID issuance system: Reduce bureaucratic delays by moving Staff ID processing online, with real‑time verification.
• Create a grievance redress mechanism: Establish a rapid‑response unit within the Ministry of Education to handle future salary‑delay complaints.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Coalition of Unpaid Teachers in Tamale has placed the government on a tight 14‑day clock to rectify two years of unpaid salaries and release all pending Staff IDs. Their ultimatum is not merely a protest; it is a legally grounded demand that highlights systemic payroll failures and the human cost of delayed compensation. If the Ministry of Education complies promptly, it can restore confidence among educators, protect student learning, and demonstrate adherence to Ghana’s Labour Act. Failure to act risks legal penalties, a widening strike, and further erosion of the Northern Region’s already fragile education infrastructure. Stakeholders—teachers, parents, community leaders, and policymakers—must work together to ensure that teachers receive the wages they deserve, that Staff IDs are issued without delay, and that the promise of education in Tamale remains untainted by financial neglect.