The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev. Isaac Owusu, is advocating for a robust legal framework to enshrine the recent government directive reinstating Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in basic and secondary schools across the country.

His call comes amidst concerns that, without legislative backing, future administrations could once again sideline these vital community structures in education.

Rev. Owusu made the appeal while addressing the media during the opening of the "Teaching Together" workshop, a collaborative initiative between GNAT and the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), held at the GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations in Abankro.

He emphasised GNAT's long-standing advocacy for the revitalisation and institutionalisation of PTAs, which he described as "essential structures for promoting collaboration between parents and educators in managing schools and improving educational outcomes."

The Ghana Education Service (GES) officially announced the full reinstatement of PTAs in all pre-tertiary schools on Thursday, July 17, 2025, following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

This directive marks a significant reversal of a 2019 policy under the previous administration, which effectively suspended PTAs and banned mandatory levies, replacing them with less influential "Parent Associations" (PAs) in the wake of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

President Mahama had, in June 2025, described the sidelining of PTAs as "unacceptable," promising their full restoration to the education system.

According to Rev. Owusu, the restoration of PTAs "effectively returns the management of schools to the community, and any reversal would be a setback to inclusive governance in education."

He underscored the need for Parliament to "enact legislation that would offer legal protection to PTAs, preventing future governments from arbitrarily dismantling or sidelining them."

This legislative measure, he argued, would provide the necessary stability and long-term assurance for PTAs to effectively contribute to school development.

PTAs in Ghana have historically played a crucial role in school governance, infrastructure development, and student welfare.

Their contributions have included providing teaching and learning materials, supporting school renovations, enforcing student discipline, and even organising extra classes.

Studies have shown that strong PTAs foster collaboration between parents, teachers, and the community, creating a more conducive learning environment.

The "Teaching Together" workshop, being held at the GNAT Institute, brought together over 300 educators from the Northern, Bono, Ahafo, and Upper West Regions.

It is the first batch of over 600 teachers scheduled for training under the project, which focuses on "teachers teaching teachers to teach," enhancing pedagogical skills in areas like inclusive education, technology education, gender and culture, and classroom management.

Rev. Isaac Owusu also took the opportunity to call on the Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, to prioritize education in fiscal policy.

He urged the Ministry to "ensure that teachers’ welfare is given the necessary attention." He highlighted the persistent challenges faced by educators across Ghana, including inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and delayed allowances, stating that these issues "negatively affect teacher motivation and educational delivery."

Ghana's education sector continues to grapple with these challenges. A 2022 Ghana Education Service (GES) report indicated that nearly 30% of basic schools in rural Ghana lack the required number of teachers, leading to issues like multigrade teaching.

Teacher motivation is often impacted by insufficient professional development opportunities and a perceived lack of adequate remuneration, despite recent efforts to improve conditions. GNAT, as the largest teacher union in Ghana with an estimated membership of over 200,000, plays a critical role in advocating for these systemic improvements