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Teacher Unions in Ghana: Roles, Challenges, and Impact on Education

1st October 2025

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | October 01 | Teacher Unions in Ghana: Roles, Challenges, and Impact on Education

Teacher unions in Ghana, including GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT-GH, play vital roles in promoting teachers’ welfare, influencing education policy, and safeguarding professional rights. Explore their contributions and challenges.

Overview of Teacher Unions in Ghana

Teacher unions in Ghana have long been central to the development of the education sector. These bodies advocate for teachers’ welfare, negotiate better conditions of service, and act as watchdogs on government policies. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-GH) are the largest unions, with membership across the country’s pre-tertiary schools. Smaller associations like the Innovative Teachers Union have also emerged in recent years.

👉 Read also: GES Code of Conduct for Teachers

Major Teacher Unions and Their Roles

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), founded in 1931, remains the oldest and largest teachers’ union. It is known for collective bargaining, professional development, and ensuring fair treatment of teachers across Ghana. The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) was formed to represent university and diploma graduates who felt underrepresented in GNAT. It is especially active in policy discussions and campaigns on salaries and allowances.

👉 Explore GNAT’s influence on teacher professionalism

The Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT-GH), founded in 2010, is recognised for its strong advocacy on issues like salary arrears, promotions, and conditions of service. It often partners with GNAT and NAGRAT in national strikes or negotiations.

👉 See how GES handles teacher promotions and transfers

Collective Bargaining and Negotiations

One of the most significant functions of teacher unions is collective bargaining. Through the Teacher Unions Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), unions negotiate with the government on salaries, professional allowances, housing, and pension reforms. For instance, the unions have been key in securing professional development allowances for teachers, as well as pushing for improved retirement benefits. 👉 External: Fair Wages and Salaries Commission of Ghana

Strikes and Industrial Actions

Teacher unions in Ghana are well-known for using strikes as a negotiation tool. Strikes often follow stalled negotiations with the government on wages or delayed allowances. While disruptive to teaching and learning, they are viewed by unions as a necessary step to secure better conditions. A notable example was the nationwide strike in 2022 when teacher unions demanded the introduction of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which the government later granted.

👉 Read also: GES Investigations into Teacher Misconduct

Challenges Facing Teacher Unions

Despite their achievements, unions face challenges such as limited resources, political interference, and balancing advocacy with professional development. In recent years, the emergence of smaller unions has also created fragmentation, sometimes weakening their collective bargaining power. Teacher unions also face criticism for prolonged strikes, which affect student learning outcomes and disrupt the academic calendar.

👉 Related: Education reforms in Ghana and teacher involvement

Impact on Education Policy

Beyond welfare, teacher unions are instrumental in shaping education policies. They contribute to curriculum reforms, teacher licensing under the National Teaching Council (NTC), and classroom innovations through professional workshops. Their voices remain critical in national debates on the future of Ghana’s education system, particularly as the government implements initiatives such as the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP). 👉 External: National Teaching Council

Teacher Unions in Ghana 2025: All Major & Emerging Associations

What is a Teacher Union?

Teacher unions represent the professional and welfare interests of educators. They negotiate conditions of service, promote professional development, protect rights, and engage in policy discussions affecting pre-tertiary education.

Established Unions

These are long-standing unions recognised in law or by government practice, with large membership, formal negotiation power, and regulatory recognition.

Union	Key Features / Strengths	Recent Activity
Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)	Founded 1962, GNAT represents teachers across all basic, secondary, and some tertiary pre-tertiary levels. Non-partisan, large membership.	Active in collective bargaining, teacher welfare issues, and national educational forums.
National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT)	Represents graduate teachers, especially those who felt underrepresented in other unions. Strong voice in policy.	Involved in national strikes and dialogues with GES over salaries, allowances.
Coalition of Concerned Teachers-GH (CCT-GH)	Coalition that often collaborates with GNAT & NAGRAT; raises issues like teacher working conditions, neglected allowances, reforms.	Participated in coordinated industrial action.
Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU)	Represents non-teaching staff in GES, public/technical universities, library authority, etc. Key for janitors, bursars, administrative and support staff.	Declared an indefinite nationwide strike (Sept 2025) over delayed conditions of service, promotions, and pay disparities.

Emerging / Newer Teacher Unions & Associations

These are smaller or recently established groups. Their recognition, bargaining power, or membership may still be growing.

Group / Union	Focus / What Claims Say	Challenges / Status
Innovative Teachers Union (ITU)	A newer union claiming to offer alternatives. Advocacy includes recovering “legacy arrears” and pushing for transparency in deductions and allowances. Founded by Stephen Desu.	Still building trust; some controversy over legitimacy and capacity. Needs strong registration, recognition, and member backing.
All Teachers Alliance Ghana (ATAG)	Claims focus on welfare, mutual support, small contributions for benefits like maternity or sick leave, low-interest loans, etc.	As a newer group, its reach, influence, and formal recognition are less documented than GNAT, NAGRAT, or TEWU. Requires clearer bargaining certificate or government recognition.

Key Issues & Disputes in 2025

Delayed Signing of Conditions of Service: TEWU declared a strike over this. Non-teaching staff are particularly affected.
Legacy Arrears, Unpaid Allowances, Deductions: Emergent unions like ITU are pressing for government action on these.
Recognition & Legitimacy: Some newer unions are challenged in courts or public perception over whether they hold bargaining certificates, whether they’re legally recognised. TEWU has publicly rejected breakaway unions without legal status.
Strike Actions & Industrial Relations: Frequent strikes, especially for non-teaching staff. These impact school operations and sometimes garner public sympathy, sometimes backlash.

Why This Matters

Teacher unions shape salary structures, allowances, professional development, and conditions of service, which all affect the quality of teaching.
When unions are effective, they help stabilise teacher welfare and morale, reduce attrition, and promote accountability.
Emerging unions reflect gaps in representation—especially for marginalised teacher categories or welfare issues.

What is Needed for Stronger Union Representation

Legal recognition and bargaining certificates for newer unions.
Transparent processes for handling arrears, deductions, and conditions of service.
Clear communication from GES and the government about what unions can expect.
Capacity building for union leadership in negotiation, legal understanding, and member representation.

Teacher unions in Ghana remain powerful stakeholders in the education sector. They not only fight for teachers’ welfare but also influence broader educational reforms. While challenges persist, their continued relevance underscores their central role in building a resilient teaching profession.