President Akufo-Addo has urged striking teachers to return to the classrooms pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

On Monday, all four pre-tertiary teachers’ unions declared a nationwide strike demanding a 20% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) because high inflation, high fuel costs, and high prices for goods and services have eroded their salaries.

Speaking at the this year’s Eid-ul-Adha national prayers organized at the Independence Square, the President noted that the troubling economic situation the country is experiencing is such that every citizen, especially organized labour would have to make some sacrifices.

He appealed to the teacher union to return to the classroom to allow negotiations on their demand for cost of living allowance to continue.

“I am very much aware that some Teacher unions have declared a strike in pursuit of a 20% cost-of-living-allowance demand. I’m happy that yesterday the teachers were joined by other members of organized labour under the umbrella of the Trades Union Congress to sit down with government, led by the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations, and Education to begin negotiations of this matter.

“I want to add my voice to the appeal of the outstanding Minister for Employment and Labour Relations for the teachers to return to the classrooms pending the outcome of these negotiations so that the education of our children, some of whom are preparing to sit their final exams, is not affected,” he said.

Meanwhile, the teacher unions’ strike action at the pre-tertiary level is biting hard.

Students arrive at school, drop their bags, and sprint down the school field to play.

However, amid all of the excitement and organized chaos, some of the students are worried and anxious. They are scheduled to take the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (B.E.C.E.) in October. They have stated that if the strike continues and they fail their exams, they will blame the government.

Currently, negotiations are ongoing with teachers, the Ministers of Education and Employment and Labour relations as well as other government agencies like the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to find an amicable solution to the problem before things escalate.

Recent negotiations have been inconclusive, however, with the matter brought before the President, leaders of the workers' unions are hopeful their demands will be met.