Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has assured newly recruited teachers that their delayed salaries will be addressed in the next budget presentation, which is set to be delivered in the next 30 days.

He gave the assurance after receiving a petition from the aggrieved teachers at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, September 30.

The teachers, comprising the 2022 batch of College of Education graduates and university-trained teachers, are demanding the payment of 13 and 9-month salary arrears, respectively.

“The Finance Minister wants me to tell you that he sympathises with you. And that your predicament, your situation, has been brought to his attention. 

"He has gone to brief His Excellency, the President, who has given him the green light to make sure that he fixes your problems," Mr Ampem said.

He added that the Finance Minister, after briefing President John Mahama, had been directed to make provision for the arrears in the upcoming budget presentation to Parliament.

“...In the next 30 days, the Finance Minister is going to Parliament to present the next budget. The Finance Minister is going to make provision for all of you to be paid. So, you should be very happy that your problem will be fixed. That is the good news that I have for you.

"His Excellency, the President, has asked the Finance Minister to make sure that provisions are made for you so that your salaries are paid. You will be fixed,” he assured.

• Read also: Newly posted teachers picket Jubilee House over 13 months of unpaid salaries

The protest began at Obra Spot near Kwame Nkrumah Circle before the teachers marched to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, eventually converging at the presidency to press home their demands.

According to the lead convener, Simon Kofi Nartey, the demonstration had become necessary after their September 23 deadline expired without any response from the authorities.

The group stated that the action was not only about their livelihoods but also about safeguarding the quality of education, which is undermined when newly recruited teachers struggle to afford transportation, accommodation, and other basic needs.