CETAG rejects gov't's appeal to call off strike

Striking members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) have refused to call off their strike, despite appeals by government for them to do so.

Chairman of the Volta regional chapter of the Association, Augustine Tsohe, told Joy News such pleas have been tolerated for far too long.

Explaining government's side of the story to Joy News Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, stated; “progress is being made. The issue now has to do with working conditions”.

According to him “they [striking teachers] want to be moved out of GES [Ghana Education Service oversight] so that they would be receiving enhanced working conditions”.

The teachers have been on strike since Monday June 17 demanding the implementation of the Colleges of Education Bill. The law which was passed last year elevates teacher training colleges to tertiary status, but government is yet to implement it.

Talks between CETAG and government to resolve the impasse broke down on Tuesday June 18.

Augustine Tsohe told Joy News CETAG members have listened to government for 8 years without concrete actions to resolve the issues.

Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa said government has told CETAG to engage the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on the matter.

The Deputy Minister was unable to give a timeline for a possible resolution of the CETAG grievances, but he appealed to them to exercise restraints.