President Akufo-Addo has urged striking teachers to return to the classrooms pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
On Monday, all four pre-tertiary teacher unions declared a nationwide strike demanding a 20% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) because high inflation, high fuel costs, and high prices for goods and services have eroded their salaries.
Speaking at this year’s Eid-ul-Adha national prayers organized at the Independence Square, the President noted that the troubling economic situation the country is experiencing is such that every citizen, especially organized labour would have to make some sacrifices.
He appealed to the teacher unions to return to the classroom to allow negotiations on their demand for cost of living allowance to continue.
“I am very much aware that some teacher unions have declared a strike in pursuit of a 20% cost-of-living-allowance demand. I’m happy that yesterday the teachers were joined by other members of organized labour under the umbrella of the Trades Union Congress to sit down with government, led by the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations, and Education to begin negotiations on this matter.
“I want to add my voice to the appeal of the outstanding Minister for Employment and Labour Relations for the teachers to return to the classrooms pending the outcome of these negotiations so that the education of our children, some of whom are preparing to sit their final exams, is not affected,” he said.
