President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s strong commitment to improving teacher welfare, restoring quality education, and deepening collaboration with organised labour, describing education as “the most reliable engine of national development.”
Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial GNAT National Delegates Conference and marking 50 years of the Ghana Education Service (GES), President Mahama said the anniversary theme was “both historic and strategic,” as it provided an opportunity to reflect on past achievements while boldly reforming the education sector to meet modern demands.
“This theme invites us to reflect on five decades of service by the Ghana Education Service while challenging us to review what has worked, revise what must change, and boldly grow the teaching profession to respond to a rapidly evolving world,” he stated.
President Mahama paid glowing tribute to teachers, noting that Ghana’s progress across all sectors has been shaped by their dedication and sacrifice.
“Behind every doctor, every engineer, every entrepreneur, every public servant and even presidents like myself—stands a teacher who believed, guided, corrected, and inspired,” he said, adding that “a good student is a function of a good teacher.”
According to the President, teacher welfare remains central to government policy, stressing that recent interventions were “not rhetorical but deliberate.”
“In the 2025 Budget, government paid millions of cedis in teacher training allowances, restored promotion eligibility up to the rank of Director, and placed over 30,000 teachers who upgraded from diploma to degree status onto the appropriate salary scale,” he revealed.
He further announced ongoing work toward implementing a 20 percent base pay incentive for teachers posted to deprived and hard-to-reach areas.
President Mahama also commended the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for its leadership beyond advocacy, describing it as one of the most progressive trade unions in the country.
“Beyond fighting for teacher welfare, GNAT has built strong economic institutions that secure the future of its members. The Teachers’ Fund is widely recognised as one of the best-managed workers’ funds in Ghana,” he noted.
He singled out Kwame Pianim for praise, describing him as “the father of the Teachers’ Fund,” and highlighted GNAT’s investments in housing, hostels, financial services, and strategic national enterprises.
“GNAT has demonstrated that organised labour can combine solidarity with enterprise and actively contribute to national development,” the President said.
On housing, President Mahama announced a major partnership between government, GNAT, and Republic Bank, backed by ₵500 million in the 2026 Budget to establish a revolving Teachers’ Housing Fund.
“That money will go into a housing fund, with GNAT and Republic Bank also contributing, so teachers can build homes in the areas of their choice,” he explained.
He disclosed that the allocation would be increased to ₵1 billion next year, with district assemblies tasked to make land available nationwide to support the project.
Addressing challenges in the education sector, President Mahama admitted that basic education has suffered neglect in recent years, leading to weak literacy and numeracy outcomes.
“Access without quality is incomplete progress,” he said, pledging decisive action to strengthen foundational learning.
He announced massive investments in infrastructure, including the upgrading of 30 Category C SHSs to Category B, completion of abandoned E-blocks, construction of new community day schools, and the building of 200 kindergartens, 200 primary schools, and 200 junior high schools across the country.
Government, he added, is also constructing 400 four-unit teacher bungalows, particularly in rural areas, and procuring two million steel dual desks to eliminate the practice of pupils sitting on the floor to learn.
On secondary education, the President reaffirmed his pledge to abolish the double-track system within two years through the Ghana Secondary Learning Improvement Project (GSLIP).
“By the end of this intervention, there will be no secondary school operating double track in this country,” he assured.
President Mahama also condemned examination malpractice, describing cheating as corruption that undermines national values.
“Cheating in exams is corruption, and it is sad to encourage our children to be corrupt at such an early stage in their lives,” he warned.
He concluded by assuring teachers of a more open and respectful environment under his administration.
“Transparency, freedom of speech, and constructive criticism are essential for the growth of our education sector, and I will protect your right to speak up,” he pledged.
President Mahama called for renewed partnership between government and teachers as Ghana charts the next phase of its educational journey.
“The future of education in Ghana will not be built on budgets alone, but on trust, dialogue, professionalism, and shared responsibility,” he said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
