The Aggrieved Newly Posted Teachers, a collective of recent graduates from both Colleges of Education and universities, are poised to launch a street protest on September 23, 2025, to demand the payment of their long-overdue salaries. The group comprises educators who have been deployed to various teaching positions but have yet to receive compensation for their services, with some waiting for as long as a year. Specifically, graduates from Colleges of Education report being unpaid for twelve months, while university graduates cite an eight-month period without salaries. This dire financial situation has driven many of these young teachers to the edge of desperation, forcing them to grapple with mounting debts and impacting their ability to meet basic needs.
The prolonged salary delays have created a cascade of financial hardships for the affected teachers. Many are struggling to pay rent and utility bills, and some are even facing food insecurity and difficulties accessing healthcare. The group has tragically reported the loss of some colleagues due to these financial pressures, underscoring the severity of the situation. They contend that the lack of income is not only affecting their livelihoods but also compromising their ability to perform their duties effectively. The stress and anxiety caused by these financial burdens are undoubtedly impacting their well-being and potentially affecting the quality of education they can provide to their students.
The Aggrieved Newly Posted Teachers have directly appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in their situation. They believe that the President, whom they describe as “a listening president,” has the authority and influence to resolve this issue. Their plea is for the President to direct the Ministry of Finance to release the necessary funds to clear the backlog of unpaid salaries and ensure timely payment going forward. They are hopeful that a presidential intervention will provide the much-needed impetus to unlock the stalled payment process and alleviate their financial suffering.
The group’s leadership, represented by Lead Convener Simon Kofi Nartey, held a press briefing in Accra to articulate their demands and outline their intended course of action. Nartey reiterated the teachers’ plight, emphasizing the urgency of their situation and the need for swift action from the government. He underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting the devastating impact of the salary delays on the teachers’ lives and their ability to fulfil their professional responsibilities. The press briefing served as a platform to amplify their voices and bring their grievances to the attention of the wider public and the relevant authorities.
The Aggrieved Newly Posted Teachers have issued a clear ultimatum to the government: if their demands for staff ID numbers, salary validation, and the payment of all outstanding arrears are not met by the end of September 2025, they will stage a large-scale demonstration in Accra. They intend to take to the principal streets of the capital city to express their dissatisfaction and highlight the hardship they are enduring. This planned demonstration serves as a final warning, signaling their resolve to escalate their actions if their concerns are not addressed within the given timeframe. The threatened demonstration underscores the growing frustration among the teachers and their determination to pursue all available avenues to secure their rightful compensation.
The impending protest represents more than just a demand for overdue salaries; it reflects a broader concern about the treatment and welfare of educators in Ghana. The teachers’ inability to access their earned wages highlights potential systemic issues within the education system and the government’s payroll processes. Their struggle raises questions about the allocation of resources, bureaucratic efficiency, and the overall priority given to supporting teachers, who play a critical role in shaping the nation’s future. The protest, if it proceeds, could serve as a catalyst for addressing these systemic challenges and ensuring that educators receive the respect and support they deserve.
