The three teacher unions in the Upper West Region, comprising GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG, have thrown their full weight behind the nationwide strike, insisting that teachers will not return to the classroom on the basis of government assurances alone.
The unions say concrete and verifiable evidence of action on outstanding demands must precede any decision to end the industrial action.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Wa on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Regional Secretary of GNAT, Ransford Owusu-Adjei, who read the statement on behalf of the three unions, said teachers have exhausted their patience after years of negotiations, assurances and promises.
“We have engaged, we have negotiated, we have exercised patience, we have listened to assurances, and we have heard promises. However, assurances alone can no longer resolve these matters.”
The unions identified three major issues underpinning the strike.
The unions say their Collective Agreement and Conditions of Service have expired, with negotiations for a new agreement facing what they describe as unacceptable delays.
They are demanding the immediate commencement and expedited conclusion of negotiations to provide teachers with current conditions of service that reflect the realities and responsibilities of the profession.
The unions are also demanding the correct salary placement and payment of accumulated arrears for teachers who have been promoted but are yet to receive the corresponding financial benefits.
According to the unions, promotion without financial implementation is incomplete because affected teachers have already assumed the additional responsibilities attached to their new positions.
They therefore want the employer to provide evidence that outstanding payments have actually been made rather than assurances that the payments are “being processed.”
The unions are equally demanding the implementation of the 20% Deprived Area Allowance, which they say has been part of their Collective Agreement since 2016.
They argue that teachers serving in deprived communities have waited for about 10 years for the agreed allowance to be implemented.
The unions welcomed commitments made by the current government on the allowance but insisted that such commitments must now translate into actual payments.
“The government must walk the talk,” the unions stressed.
The Upper West leadership of GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG says teachers will not return to the classroom simply because the government announces that outstanding issues are being addressed.
The unions want demonstrable evidence of payment, correct salary placement of promoted teachers and tangible progress on the other outstanding demands.
“If the employer says teachers have been paid, show the evidence. If promoted teachers have been placed on their correct scales, show the evidence. If the 20% Deprived Area Allowance is being implemented, show the evidence.”
The unions reaffirmed their support for the national leadership and called on teachers across the Upper West Region to remain united and disciplined throughout the industrial action.
They stressed that the strike is not about individual teachers but a collective demand for respect, fairness, accountability and implementation of agreed conditions and legitimate entitlements.
While maintaining their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the dispute, the unions said dialogue must produce tangible results.
“No more promises. No more indefinite promises, no more delays. No more assurances without evidence. The time for implementation is now”.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
