Background: The Genesis of the CETAG Strike

To understand the significance of this suspension, one must revisit the origins of the industrial dispute.

The National Labour Commission Arbitral Award

The immediate catalyst for the strike was the Government of Ghana’s alleged non-compliance with an arbitral award issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC). According to CETAG, this award—which detailed the resolutions to their grievances, including the aforementioned allowances—was issued more than two years prior to the strike declaration. The NLC is a statutory body established under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to promote collective bargaining and settle industrial disputes. Its awards are legally binding on the parties involved. The failure to implement the award was cited by CETAG as a fundamental breach of trust and legal obligation.

The Emergency National Executive Committee Meeting

The decision to embark on strike action was not taken hastily. It was authorized following an emergency meeting of CETAG’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held in consultation with the National Council on November 19, 2025. This internal democratic process underscores the seriousness with which the leadership viewed the government’s inaction. The subsequent declaration of an indefinite national strike on November 24, 2025, was therefore a last-resort measure after what the association described as prolonged and fruitless engagement.

The Role of Colleges of Education in Ghana

Ghana’s Colleges of Education are pivotal institutions in the nation’s educational pipeline. They are responsible for training the majority of basic school teachers. Any prolonged disruption in these institutions has a cascading effect on the quality and quantity of teachers entering the service, ultimately impacting foundational education across the country. This context elevated the CETAG strike from a routine labour dispute to a national concern for educational quality and continuity.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Resolution and What Lies Ahead

The suspension is a tactical victory for CETAG but does not signify the end of the road. A nuanced analysis reveals both progress and persistent challenges.

The Government’s Strategic Release: Damage Control or Genuine Resolution?

The timing of the budget release, coming after nearly three months of strike action, suggests a calculated move by the government to restore normalcy in the education sector. Releasing funds for the most quantifiable and less contentious arrears (like specific allowances) allows the government to claim responsiveness while deferring the more complex, still-pending issues. This approach breaks the immediate logjam but tests CETAG’s resolve to secure full compliance on all points. The move likely aimed to alleviate public and student pressure, which mounted as the strike wore on.

The Unfinished Business: Two Issues Still at the NLC

CETAG’s statement is precise: two problems remain “under adjudication” at the NLC. While not specified in the public release, these likely relate to deeper structural issues such as:

• Permanent and Pensionable Status: A long-standing demand for many CoE teachers to have their status regularized from contract to permanent and pensionable, affecting job security and retirement benefits.
• Upgrading of the CoETeachers’ Salary Structure: Demands for salary adjustments to align with the higher qualifications and responsibilities of CoE teachers compared to their counterparts in basic schools.
• Implementation of the new Conditions of Service: Full rollout of a revised conditions of service agreement.

The government’s release of funds for the first set of arrears does not automatically address these foundational issues. The NLC’s pending judgment on these matters is now the critical next battleground. CETAG’s expressed “confidence” in the NLC is a strategic posture to maintain member morale and pressure, but the ultimate test will be the enforceability of the NLC’s final award on these remaining items.

Implications for Industrial Relations in Ghana’s Education Sector

This episode reinforces a recurring pattern: teacher unions resorting to strike action to enforce NLC awards. It highlights systemic delays in the implementation of labour awards within the public sector. For sustainable peace, there is a need for a formal, time-bound mechanism between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the NLC to ensure automatic budgetary allocations for implemented awards. The current ad-hoc, protest-driven model is inefficient and detrimental to educational planning.

Practical Advice: What This Means for Stakeholders

The suspension has immediate and downstream consequences for various groups.

For CETAG Members

• Resume Duties: All members are instructed to return to their posts by February 16, 2026. Non-compliance could undermine the association’s good-faith stance.
• Maintain Unity: The leadership has praised members’ solidarity. Continued unity is essential to maintain leverage for the unresolved issues.
• Verify Payments: Upon return, members should proactively confirm with their institutional finance offices that the specific arrears (All Year-Round, 2023/2024 Book & Research) have been accurately calculated and paid.
• Stay Informed: Rely on official CETAG communications (via their official channels) for updates on the NLC adjudication process. Avoid speculation from unofficial sources.

For Students and Parents

• Academic Calendar: Students should expect lectures and practical sessions to resume as of February 16, 2026. They should contact their respective CoE administrations for revised academic calendars to make up for lost time.
• Advocacy: Student representatives can engage their leadership to monitor the situation and advocate for a smooth transition back to full academic activity without victimization.

For College of Education Administrations

• Logistical Preparation: Ensure lecture halls, laboratories, and teaching practice resources are ready for the influx of students and returning staff.
• Financial Verification: Work with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ministry of Education finance directorates to confirm receipt of the released funds for the specified allowances to facilitate smooth payroll updates.
• Stabilization: Implement measures to support staff and students in readjusting after the disruption, potentially through counseling or academic bridging programs.

For Policymakers and the Ministry of Education

• Urgent NLC Engagement: The government must commit publicly and financially to implementing the final NLC award on the remaining two issues without further delay.
• Systemic Reform: Use this incident to advocate for a legislative or policy review that creates a seamless, time-bound link between NLC awards and Treasury approval for funds, preventing future recurrences.
• Stakeholder Dialogue: Initiate a broader forum with all pre-tertiary teacher unions to address systemic concerns about conditions of service, moving from reactive crisis management to proactive planning.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the CETAG Strike Suspension

1. Is the CETAG strike permanently over?

The strike is suspended, not permanently called off. The suspension is conditional upon the government’s continued fulfillment of its commitments, particularly the resolution of the two remaining issues still before the National Labour Commission. If those issues are not resolved satisfactorily, the association retains the right to resume industrial action.

2. What exactly has the government paid for?

The government has released funds for three specific arrears: (1) All Year-Round Work Compensation arrears, (2) the 2023/2024 Book and Research Allowance arrears, and (3) the 2022 Research Top-Up Allowance for Akrokerri College of Education. These are discrete line-item payments.

3. What are the two remaining issues?

CETAG has not publicly enumerated the exact details, but based on historical demands, they almost certainly pertain to the permanent and pensionable status of CoE teachers and the upgrading of their salary structure to the “CoE Teacher” grade, as distinct from the “Graduate Teacher” or “Senior Superintendent” grades in the Ghana Education Service. The final determination rests with the NLC.

4. When will the remaining issues be resolved?

The timeline is dependent on the National Labour Commission’s adjudication process. CETAG has expressed confidence in the NLC to “expedite” the solution. Stakeholders should watch for official communication from the NLC regarding its ruling on these outstanding matters.

5. What should students do now?

Students should prepare to resume academic activities on Monday, February 16, 2026. They should check official college notice boards, websites, and student union channels for specific instructions on timetable adjustments and any required documentation for returning to hostels or classes.

6. Could this happen again with other teacher unions?

The underlying issue—delayed implementation of NLC awards—is a systemic challenge in Ghana’s public sector employment relations. Other unions, such as the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU), have also engaged in similar actions. Without a systemic fix to the award implementation pipeline, the risk of future industrial disputes remains high across the education sector.

Conclusion: A Fragile Peace and the Road Ahead

The suspension of the CETAG strike is a welcome relief for thousands of students and the nation’s education calendar. It demonstrates that targeted fiscal intervention can break a deadlock. However, it is a fragile peace. The fundamental