The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has instructed the release of salaries for 902 out of 1,310 teachers whose payments were halted last week.
The OSP suspended these salaries upon uncovering irregularities and subsequently launching investigations into the matter.
This action provoked the ire of teacher unions, prompting them to demand the immediate release of the salaries or face consequences.
During a joint news conference on February 14, education unions including GNAT, NAGRAT, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers criticized the Special Prosecutor’s actions as unlawful. They issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the release of the remaining salaries, threatening agitation if their demands were not met by the following week.
NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu, questioned the OSP’s authority to withhold salaries, emphasizing the importance of adhering to principles of fair compensation. He suggested that matters concerning ghost names should be referred to the Ghana Education Service for resolution.
Similarly, King Ali Awudu, President of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, expressed astonishment at the OSP’s auditing process. He urged the release of payments for over 400 teachers, clarifying that the Controller had already disbursed the funds and it was the OSP’s intervention that had blocked the salaries.
GNAT General Secretary, Thomas Musah Tanko, echoed the sentiment, urging the OSP to follow proper channels and approach the Director-General, who oversees the agency’s employment matters. Tanko warned against bypassing protocols, emphasizing the need for adherence to established procedures.