President John Dramani Mahama has taken decisive action to address years of stagnation in the education sector by approving the long-delayed promotions of Deputy Directors of Education who have remained in their roles for up to 15 years without advancement.
In a significant show of commitment to education reform, President Mahama also pledged to release long-overdue teacher allowances, including the critical 20 per cent out-of-station and deprived-area payments—an issue that has sparked discontent among educators nationwide.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, between the President and the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT). The meeting included Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, GNAT General Secretary Thomas Tanko Musa, and respected economist Kwame Pianim.
The promotion of deputy directors had stalled primarily due to a lack of office accommodation at the top levels of the Ghana Education Service (GES). But President Mahama has now overridden that bottleneck.
“Your approval means those affected will be promoted despite the absence of office accommodation,” the Education Minister told the President.
In a move that underscores the administration’s focus on education welfare, President Mahama has also directed that no new school infrastructure be developed without simultaneous provision for teacher housing—a directive that the Education Ministry has already begun implementing.
The government now awaits a formal directive from the President to the Finance Minister to facilitate the release of the outstanding allowances. These include the long-delayed 20 per cent incentive for teachers posted to underserved or remote areas and those working far from their home districts.
GNAT’s General Secretary welcomed the President’s commitment and used the occasion to reaffirm the union’s trust in his leadership.
“The Ghanaian people spoke clearly in December,” Mr Musa stated, voicing GNAT’s confidence that President Mahama would deliver on the promises made to education professionals.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu assured the President that teacher concerns were being addressed through dialogue and collaboration, adding that there was no imminent threat of disruption in the education sector.
President Mahama’s actions mark a renewed emphasis on fairness, equity, and professional dignity within the teaching profession—an approach that education stakeholders say could redefine morale and motivation across the sector.
