Two teacher unions have called on President John Dramani Mahama to issue an immediate directive for the implementation of the long-awaited 20 percent deprived area allowance for teachers serving in rural and underserved communities.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teacher Unions say they expect the allowance to take effect by September 2026, stressing that teachers have waited too long for a benefit that has been part of their conditions of service since 2009.
Ghana has more than 300,000 teachers, with over 100,000 working in rural and deprived communities where they face difficult living and teaching conditions.
Many travel long distances to reach their schools, reducing valuable contact hours with students, while others cross rivers and navigate poor road networks to access their workplaces.
“Teachers in deprived communities continue to make enormous sacrifices under difficult conditions, yet the allowance promised to them remains unpaid,” the unions said.
The 20 percent deprived area allowance was proposed by teacher unions in 2009 to compensate educators working in hardship areas.
Although the provision was incorporated into their conditions of service, successive governments have failed to implement it.
While the current government has renewed its commitment to honour the agreement, the unions say they are concerned that previous promises have not translated into action.
President of NAGRAT, Jacob Anaba, expressed disappointment over what he described as the slow pace of implementation.
Vice President of the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana, Adokwei Awulley, also urged government to move beyond assurances and implement the policy without further delay.
Both leaders appealed directly to President Mahama to issue a clear directive to ensure the allowance is paid as promised.
“The time for promises has passed. What teachers need now is implementation,” the unions maintained.
Responding to questions in Parliament on Thursday, July 2, Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the welfare of teachers.
“Teacher welfare remains a national priority,” the Minister assured, reiterating government’s resolve to address the long-standing issue.
The teacher unions say they will continue engaging government until the deprived area allowance becomes a reality for the thousands of teachers serving in some of Ghana’s most challenging communities.
By Daniel Opoku
