Govt promises to include new teachers’ 13-month salary arrears in 2026 Budget

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has assured the coalition of unpaid teachers that payment of their 13-month salary arrears will be included in the 2026 budget presentation.

This follows the submission of a petition by the group to the Finance Ministry as part of their protest demanding government action on salary arrears.

Receiving the petition on Tuesday, September 30, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem reassured the group that the payment of their salary arrears would be incorporated into the next budget presentation, scheduled to be presented to Parliament next month.

“I was a teacher, and I was posted to teach, and I was not paid for 8 months. I can relate perfectly well with all of you. The Finance Minister [Dr Ato Forson] says he sympathises with you, and he has briefed President John Dramani Mahama, and he has been given the green light to make sure he fixes your problem.

He added, “The Finance Minister will present the next budget, and he will make provision for all of you to be catered for; you should be very happy that your problem will be fixed; that is the good news. You will be paid.”

Meanwhile, the protesters remain dissatisfied with the development, describing it as inhumane, as they must wait several more months to receive their unpaid salaries.

“This is inhumane; we’re not ready for the 2026 budget. I’m even disappointed that he couldn’t even come to talk to us, but sent his deputy. It means we’re not worth his attention,” he stated.