The Ghana Education Service (GES), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and other pertinent parties have been encouraged by the National Labour Commission (NLC) to begin prompt negotiations with the striking teacher unions.
In a statement released on July 4, the NLC gave the government seven days to resolve the unions' concerns and provide a report.
On Monday, an indefinite statewide strike was declared by the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT).
These unions demand, among other things, that they receive their cost-of-living allowance in addition to their 20% basic wage (COLA). They contend that paying the COLA would significantly lessen the effects of the growing cost of living.
"You are hereby required to immediately after receiving this communication contact the offended teacher unions to begin negotiations to address their grievances within seven days, and to provide the Commission with a report after you have done so.
"With our intervention, we call on the teacher unions to withdraw their decision and end the strike so that the process of dialogue may begin. The teaching unions, GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU, and CCT-GH, are informed as such by copies of this letter, according to NLC.
The Ghana Education Service has in the meanwhile instructed Heads of Senior High Schools to mobilise their Management teams through the Regional and District Directors to safeguard the security and wellness of all students in schools.
The GES stated in a news release that it has invited the union leadership to a meeting to examine the situation and the next steps.
Additionally, it stated that Regional and District Directors have been instructed to make sure that all elementary schools are kept open and that students who report to school are strictly supervised.
Parents are urged to maintain their composure and may rest easy knowing that management is closely observing the circumstance and will provide advice on the best course of action as needed.