TEWU embarks on indefinite nationwide strike, accuses government of neglect

The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of TUC (Ghana) has announced that from Friday, September 19, 2025, its members will withdraw their services indefinitely in protest against what it describes as persistent neglect by the government.

In a statement signed by General Secretary King James Azortibah, TEWU instructed non-teaching staff across the education sector including those in the Ghana Education Service, public universities, technical universities, the Ghana Library Authority, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board to remain at home until further notice.

The union explained: 

“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.”

Among the unresolved issues cited are the immediate signing of Conditions of Service, the demand that non-teaching GES staff be included in the September Continuous Professional Development Allowance, the settlement of pending promotion grievances, and action by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to conclude outstanding negotiations.

TEWU further cautioned against attempts to obstruct or intimidate workers participating in the strike. 

“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 statement declared.

The strike, if sustained, will bring administrative, library, security, and support functions in schools and tertiary institutions nationwide to a standstill.

Notices of the industrial action have also been sent to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the National Labour Commission. 

Employers have been urged to respect the decision of the affected staff, which the union insists is a lawful one.