Tension is mounting among more than three thousand teachers across the country after the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department announced that the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) allowance will not be paid this month.
Teacher unions say the decision has caused widespread concern, urging the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to intervene immediately to prevent possible industrial unrest.
General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah who spoke exclusively with TV3’s Labour Affairs correspondent, Daniel Opoku said the teachers are angry and upset about the development on the delay in paying the CPD allowance.
The CPD allowance — a benefit negotiated between teachers and the government several years ago — is enshrined in teachers’ collective agreement and conditions of service. Originally set at ₵1,200, it was later increased to ₵2,400.
Government released millions of cedis to pay the allowance in September 2024. Ealy this year, both the Ministry of Education and the GES assured teachers that the payment would be made again without delay.
However, on November 25, 2025, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department announced that the allowance would not be paid as scheduled, citing a technical challenge that has forced a rescheduled payment date of December 18, 2025.
The announcement has angered teachers nationwide.
General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah, told TV3’s Labour Affairs Correspondent, Daniel Opoku, that more than 300,000 teachers feel betrayed by the sudden change.
“Last year it was paid in September, and this year it was supposed to be paid this month. Everything has been done — validation has been done — and when the validation was completed, there was an indication that the allowances would be paid,” he said.
“Then only yesterday it came to our attention that there was a technical problem at a point in time. We had already communicated to members that the monies would be paid in November.”
He added that the situation has placed union leaders in a difficult position.
“Now the implication is that we have lied to them that the allowances will be paid in November — and since yesterday till now, it has not been easy.”
Musah is calling on the Minister of Education to step in quickly to defuse the growing tension.
“Both the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should respond to this difficult situation as soon as possible. The Minister gives policy direction, and the GES is the employer. Teachers want to hear from them on exactly what the issues are,” he stressed.
He described the mood among teachers as deeply troubling. “Things are really difficult. If you see me wearing red, it is to express the anger on the faces of the teachers regarding this situation. We are calming nerves down, but even though Controller has issued some kind of statement, all is still not well.”
Musah ended with a direct appeal to the Education Minister.
“Honourable Minister, this particular situation confronting us needs your urgent attention to avert any challenge on the labour front.”
By Daniel Opoku
