Teacher Unions Demand Refund of Tax on Digital Allowance in Ghana

Ferdinand | EducationGhana |  December 14|Teacher Unions Demand Refund of Tax on Digital Allowance in Ghana

Teacher unions in Ghana demand the reversal and refund of taxes on teachers’ digital allowance, citing breaches of the Collective Agreement by the Ghana Education Service.

 
The pre-tertiary education unions in Ghana—GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT-GH—are demanding the reversal and refund of taxes imposed on teachers’ complementary digital support allowance. This call was made through a letter dated December 12, 2024, addressed to the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The unions explained that they had earlier requested the GES on November 21, 2024, to cease deducting taxes from the allowance and refund any amounts already deducted. According to the unions, the deductions contradict the terms of the existing Collective Agreement between the parties, which emphasizes cooperation, trust, and respect in its implementation.

“It is therefore unfortunate that the GES has unilaterally deducted the tax from the above-mentioned allowance, contrary to the agreement and promise that it would not be deducted,” the letter stated.

The unions have demanded an immediate reversal of the tax deductions and a refund to affected teachers.

Unilateral Decision by GES

The unions expressed disappointment over GES’ unilateral action to impose the tax despite prior assurances to the contrary. They urged the GES to act swiftly, stressing the need for urgency in resolving the matter to avoid further tensions.

Collective Agreement in Question

The teacher unions emphasized the importance of upholding the terms of the Collective Agreement, which aims to foster trust and mutual respect. The GES’ decision, they argued, undermines this principle and sets a concerning precedent.

At the time of publication, the Ghana Education Service had not responded to the unions’ demands.