TEWU begins indefinite strike, accuses government of neglect

The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC (Ghana) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, effective Friday, September 19, 2025.

The union accuses the government of neglecting the welfare of non-teaching staff in the education sector.

In a statement signed by General Secretary King James Azortibah, TEWU directed all members—including staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), public and technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board—to withdraw their services until further notice.

“This decision has become inevitable due to government and employer institutions’ persistent failure to address long-standing concerns… despite exhausting all laid-down legal and procedural requirements,” the statement said.

The union’s demands include the immediate signing of Conditions of Service, inclusion of non-teaching GES staff in the September Continuous Professional Development Allowance, resolution of promotion grievances, and urgent steps by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to conclude outstanding agreements.

TEWU also cautioned against intimidation, describing such attempts as unfair labour practices.

“We have exercised patience and restraint. We have followed due process and exhausted all legal requirements under the Labour Act of Ghana. The responsibility for the disruption of industrial peace in the education sector rests squarely with government and its agencies,” the union added.

The strike is expected to affect administrative, security, library, and support services across schools, universities, and cultural institutions nationwide.

Copies of the declaration have been sent to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, GES, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the National Labour Commission. Employers have been urged to respect the decision of non-teaching staff.