Gov’t pays teachers 15% COLA after teacher unions strike

The government through the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has duly paid the agreed 15% COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) to public sector workers including government school teachers for this year.

In a statement copied to AcademicWeek, the Accountant Department said the payment follows an agreement signed between the government and Organized Labour on July 14, 2022, to accept a 15% COLA after industrial action.

“The COLA which represents fifteen per cent (15%) of the 2022 basic salary was paid for July and August. The total amount paid for the two months COLA is 485,000.000.00,” the press release signed by Accountant General stated.

The teacher unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) July this year embarked on a nationwide strike action to register their displeasure over the central government’s failure to grant them a 20% Cost of living allowance (COLA).

“Unfortunately, these calls have fallen on deaf ears, we wish to use this forum to express our displeasure over this insensitivity of the government regarding our demand,” the Teacher Unions stated in a joint statement issued on July 4.

Citing an increase in fuel prices, goods and other services, the leadership of the education sector Unions said their decision to embark on the nationwide industrial action is influenced by the high cost of living in the country.

“Inflation in the country is currently 27.6% and continues to escalate and Infinitum; only God knows when this will abate. We are much appalled at the inept attitude of the government relative to call for COLA,” the Unions noted.

But after several failed engagements with the Organized Labour and other stakeholders, the leadership of the unions finally agreed for a 15% COLA to be paid to all public sector school teachers by the Controller and Accountant General.

Thomas T. Musah, the general secretary of GNAT after the agreement said “Dear Comrades, having agreed on 15% COLA, we wish to inform all our members that our strike is hereby called off. God bless you! Solidarity forever!”