A mounting labour standoff is poised to escalate into sustained public protest as the National Organiser of the Coalition of Unpaid Teachers, Eugene Zoranu Segbefia, has announced that aggrieved members will embark on an open ended demonstration at the Ministry of Finance beginning Wednesday, April 15, 2026, should authorities fail to present a definitive and time bound framework for the settlement of outstanding salary arrears.
Speaking during an interview on Joy FM’s flagship current affairs programme Top Story, Eugene Zoranu Segbefia painted a stark picture of prolonged financial hardship within the profession, revealing that numerous educators have remained uncompensated for periods ranging from seven to eighteen months. The disclosure underscores a deepening crisis within the public education sector, where service delivery continues despite the absence of remuneration.
He conveyed profound uncertainty regarding the state’s commitment to resolving the issue, noting that affected teachers remain in limbo without any assurance that their entitlements will be honoured. The situation, he suggested, has eroded confidence in institutional responsiveness and intensified frustration among those who continue to discharge their duties under increasingly difficult conditions.
Despite a series of engagements with key stakeholders, including the leadership of the Ghana Education Service and the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the coalition maintains that no concrete payment schedule has been communicated. While officials reportedly acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that administrative correspondence had been exchanged between the education and finance ministries, these assurances have yet to translate into tangible outcomes.
Eugene Zoranu Segbefia questioned the coherence of government policy, particularly in light of ongoing recruitment drives within the sector. He argued that expanding the workforce while failing to compensate existing personnel reflects a troubling misalignment of priorities, one that risks undermining morale and institutional credibility.
The organiser further expressed dissatisfaction with what he characterised as unequal treatment across the public service, drawing comparisons with other categories of workers who have reportedly begun receiving arrears payments. He contended that teachers, whose roles are central to national development, deserve equitable consideration and timely remuneration.
According to the coalition, an ultimatum had been issued requiring the government to present a comprehensive payment plan by April 12, 2026. With that deadline now elapsed without a formal response, the group has resolved to intensify its actions, transitioning from dialogue to direct public demonstration.
The planned protest is expected to take the form of a sustained occupation, with participants prepared to remain at the premises of the Ministry of Finance until their demands are addressed. Eugene Zoranu Segbefia indicated that members from across the country, including delegations travelling from Kumasi and Tamale, are mobilising to join the demonstration, underscoring the nationwide scope of the grievance.
Central to their demands is direct engagement with the highest levels of government, including John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, or the Chief of Staff. The coalition has made it clear that without such high level intervention and a credible resolution pathway, the protest will persist indefinitely.
As tensions rise, the unfolding situation presents a critical test for the government’s capacity to address labour concerns within essential public services, while balancing fiscal constraints with the imperative to maintain trust and stability within the education system.
SOURCE: Myjoyonline
