Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that President John Mahama has issued a directive for the immediate promotion of all eligible deputy directors within the education sector.

The decision follows a warning by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), which has threatened to embark on industrial action from 30th April over persistent delays in the promotion of junior-ranked educators.

Speaking on Thursday, 24th April, at the launch of a sanitary pad distribution initiative for schoolgirls, Mr Iddrisu assured stakeholders that the directive would be implemented without delay and regardless of current limitations such as office space or formal postings.

“One of your major concerns, the president raised to me, is that in his campaign rounds, many of you who are deputy directors of education struggle to move the ladder above you to become directors because of the unavailability of office spaces.

“President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to give all those deputy directors a legitimate promotion. And even without office, they will still serve in their capacities as directors of GES,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the launch of the sanitary pad initiative forms part of President Mahama’s broader commitment to gender equality and inclusive education.

The Free Pad intervention is designed to support adolescent girls, many of whom are forced to miss school during their menstrual cycles due to lack of access to hygiene products.

President Mahama had earlier identified menstruation-related barriers as a critical issue during his maiden State of the Nation Address, highlighting the urgent need to remove such obstacles to girls’ education.

The programme is expected to ease the financial burden on families, boost school attendance among girls, and promote improved health and well-being.

The initiative seeks to foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all school-aged girls by ensuring access to essential menstrual hygiene products.