DSN NEWS DESK
President John Mahama has assured teachers across Ghana that his government will take a fresh look at the Single Spine Salary Structure and address long-standing concerns surrounding the country’s three-tier pension scheme.
His assurance comes at a time when teachers and education unions are increasingly demanding better pay, improved working conditions, adequate funding for schools, and stronger protection against attacks on teachers.
The president made these commitments at the 54th National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). The conference brought together teacher leaders from across the country to discuss challenges facing the education sector.
Teachers’ welfare under strain
Addressing the gathering, GNAT President Reverend Isaac Owusu stressed that while teachers continue to play a vital role in national development, their welfare is often neglected.
He noted that teachers remain the backbone of Ghana’s education system, yet many feel overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. According to him, it is no longer enough to celebrate past achievements without honestly confronting the problems that threaten teachers’ morale and effectiveness.
Reverend Owusu highlighted what he described as a growing crisis in teachers’ conditions of service. Many educators, he said, struggle with salaries that do not match their workload, commitment, or the rising cost of living. He argued that meaningful reforms are urgently needed to protect teachers and ensure quality education delivery.
Four urgent demands
The GNAT President outlined four key areas that require immediate attention:
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A comprehensive review of the Single Spine Pay Policy
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Increased and sustained funding for basic education
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Reforms to the pension system to secure teachers’ retirement
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Stronger measures to protect teachers from assaults and abuse
On the issue of safety, Reverend Owusu took a firm stance, declaring zero tolerance for attacks on teachers. He warned that if assaults continue, GNAT would not hesitate to mobilise nationwide action, including the closure of schools if necessary. He emphasised that any attack on one teacher would be treated as an attack on all teachers.
Government response
Responding to the concerns, President Mahama openly acknowledged that the Single Spine Salary Structure has serious shortcomings. He admitted that dissatisfaction with the system is widespread across the public sector and noted that organised labour, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has repeatedly raised the issue.
The president described the current salary structure as deeply flawed and pledged that his government is willing to review the entire pay system. According to him, the goal is to create a fairer and more efficient structure that properly rewards workers and motivates them to perform at their best.
On pensions, President Mahama promised to set up a dedicated team to examine the three-tier pension scheme. He said the review would focus on improving retirement security so that workers, including teachers, can look forward to life after active service with confidence rather than anxiety.
Zero tolerance for teacher assaults
President Mahama also strongly condemned attacks on teachers, describing such acts as completely unacceptable. He assured GNAT of his full support in dealing with the issue, stating clearly that his government would take firm action to protect teachers and uphold discipline within the education system.
Bigger picture
The discussions at the GNAT conference highlight broader concerns within Ghana’s public sector, where workers are increasingly pushing for wage reforms, pension security, and safer workplaces. For teachers in particular, the outcome of the promised reviews could have significant implications for morale, retention, and the overall quality of education.
As expectations rise, many teachers will be watching closely to see how quickly and decisively the government moves from promises to concrete action.
