A group calling itself the Coalition of Unpaid Teachers and Arrears - Ghana is demanding the payment of their outstanding emoluments after being employed by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

According to the teachers, they were employed permanently by the government in 2023, however, delays in processing their documents for the employment agreement have resulted in the unpaid salaries.

They claim their employment was affirmed only five months ago, but steps to process payment of their salaries have not seen the light of day.

The teachers numbering over 4,000, working at the basic and secondary schools, are owed varied months of arrears, with the maximum being 16 months and the minimum of seven months.

In a statement, the group says many teachers across the country who are owed the months of arrears have had to deal with the suffocating economic difficulties to survive.

The group says after engaging the government for permanent employment in 2023, they have been saddled with no unpaid salaries for the months of work done.

“Since our engagement in 2023, delays in staff ID issuance and administrative processes have led to unpaid salaries and arrears. Many members are still awaiting payment of validated arrears, with some unable to receive monthly salaries,” the statement read.

On August 19, 2024, the Ghana Education Service issued a statement to all directors at the district level assuring of settling all unpaid salaries and allowances owed teachers.

A technical committee was constituted to resolve the salary-related issues.

Portions of the statement read: “We appreciate and relate to the plights of our affected staff due to the upsurge of salary-related issues and their adverse effects on productivity. In our quest to resolve these issues, Management, in collaboration with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has set up a Technical Working Team to expeditiously resolve all outstanding issues relating to Salary Re-activations, Responsibility Allowances, Salaries of New entrants, amongst”.

But despite these assurances given by the Director-General of the service, they are even yet to receive their first salary payment.

The situation has presented dire financial consequences on the teachers and their families.

They portend their well-being has been impacted, consequently demoralizing them in conducting their daily responsibilities as teachers.

“These unresolved issues have resulted in severe financial strain, indebtedness, and low morale, affecting teachers’ well-being and classroom performance,” portion of the statement read.

The group has submitted a formal letter to the Director-General of the GES to fast-track the payment process.

They are demanding that the GES addresses their concerns by November 18, 2024 or they would be compelled to consider other actions to forcibly retrieve their unpaid salaries.

“We believe that your support and awareness are crucial in ensuring a timely response from GES, and we appreciate your attention to this urgent matter,” the statement concluded.