Open Letter To President Mahama On The Inhumane Treatment And Total Neglect Of Unpaid Teachers

Dear President Mahama,
I extend warm greetings and trust that you are in good spirits. As Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces, you occupy a position of immense responsibility, and many hold you in high regard for your promise to reset the country.

However, as someone from the teaching profession—a profession that forms the very foundation of national development—I am deeply disheartened and disturbed by the ongoing neglect of unpaid teachers.

Mr. President, your assurances to teachers appear to be falling short, as reflected in the frustration and disappointment etched on the faces of those who have worked diligently for months without pay.

You pledged to reset the country, yet the reality for many teachers has been increased hardship, disappointment, and discontent. It is unacceptable that teachers have worked for over fifteen months and received only one month’s salary. This situation is not only despicable but also demoralizing for professionals who play a critical role in shaping the future of our nation.

Regrettably, this is not the first time such an ordeal has occurred under your leadership. During your first term (2012–2016), teachers endured a similar injustice—working for a full year only to be paid for three months under the infamous three‑month pay policy. Many suffered emotional distress and trauma as a result.

This painful experience contributed significantly to your exit from office in 2016. Many believed that this would serve as a lasting lesson. Yet, after eight years in opposition and a resounding victory in the 2024 election, the same pattern appears to be repeating itself.

It is shocking that teachers who have been recruited and have dutifully served the nation are now left with fifteen months of unpaid salaries. This is nothing short of inhumane.

Teachers already contend with meagre salaries, and the current economic climate—characterized by high rent, electricity tariffs, fuel prices, water bills, and general cost of living—makes their situation unbearable. The pressure from family responsibilities only compounds their distress.

Mr. President, I respectfully urge you to put yourself in their position and acknowledge the severity of their plight. These teachers are not asking for special favours; they are simply demanding what is rightfully theirs—their full salaries. Payment of these arrears would restore their dignity, reduce their stress, and enable them to perform effectively in the classroom.

A teacher burdened with financial anxiety cannot deliver quality education. The consequences of this neglect extend far beyond the affected individuals—they impact the entire nation.

You promised automatic postings, a 20% allowance for teachers who accept postings to rural communities, and other incentives. Yet the treatment of unpaid teachers today contradicts these commitments and reflects poorly on the country.

While the health sector has taken steps to address salary arrears owed to nurses, including establishing a payment schedule, teachers have been left without engagement, without clarity, and without hope. This raises serious concerns about the respect and value accorded to the teaching profession.

In summary, the affected teachers deserve far better than the stress, disappointment, and indignity they are currently enduring. Their contribution to national development is immeasurable, and their welfare must be treated as a priority.

Shalom.
By:
Abdulai Abdul‑Razak
Tamale South Constituency Secretary Aspirant, NPP

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