TEWU Declares Indefinite Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands
The Teachers’ and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, accusing the government of neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff in the education sector. The action, which took effect on Friday, September 19, 2025, is expected to disrupt administrative, custodial, and library services in schools, universities, and other public institutions across the country.
In a statement signed by General Secretary King James Azortibah, the union said it had been compelled to withdraw its services after months of stalled negotiations and unmet promises. TEWU noted that despite following all lawful processes under the Labour Act, its grievances remained unresolved, forcing it to take what it described as a last-resort action. The union argued that the failure of government and employer institutions to address its demands has undermined industrial peace in the education sector.
At the heart of the dispute is the delay in signing and implementing a revised Conditions of Service agreement for non-teaching staff. TEWU is demanding that the agreement, which covers workers under the Ghana Education Service (GES), public and technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority, and the Museums and Monuments Board, be concluded without further delay. The union is also calling for the inclusion of GES non-teaching staff in the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) allowance, which is scheduled to be paid to teachers this month. Other concerns include unresolved promotion and salary placement issues for staff who have passed interviews but are yet to receive official letters or be placed on new pay scales.
The strike affects a wide range of support staff, including cleaners, security personnel, cooks, clerks, and library assistants in schools and colleges across the country. Administrative and support services in basic and senior high schools, universities, and public libraries are likely to grind to a halt as a result of the action. TEWU warned that the timing of the strike, coming just as a new academic term begins, could cause significant disruption to teaching and learning if the government does not intervene quickly.
In its statement, the union cautioned heads of institutions against intimidating or victimising members who choose to participate in the strike, stressing that such actions would amount to unfair labour practices under Ghana’s Labour Act. Copies of the strike declaration have been served on the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the National Labour Commission.
TEWU has urged the government to urgently return to the negotiation table and demonstrate a firm commitment to addressing the concerns of non-teaching staff. The union maintains that the welfare of these workers, who play a vital role in the functioning of schools and educational facilities, has been overlooked for too long. It says the strike will continue until there is meaningful progress in resolving its demands and restoring industrial harmony in the education sector.
With thousands of students and teachers relying on the services provided by non-teaching staff, the coming days are expected to test the government’s willingness to resolve the impasse. Many stakeholders believe that swift dialogue and concessions will be critical to ending the strike and preventing further disruptions to the country’s education system.
