Ghana Teacher Unions Blast Government Over Delayed CPDA and CDISA Allowances: “This Is Not a Christmas Package!!
On November 26, 2025, three major pre-tertiary teacher unions in Ghana the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-Ghana, sometimes referred to in contexts with PRETAG) issued a fiery joint statement condemning the government for failing to pay two critical allowances promised for November 2025. The allowances in question are the Continuous Professional Development Allowance (CPDA) and the Complimentary Digital Instruction Support Allowance (CDISA, also called Critical Support Allowance or Digital Allowance in some reports).
This development follows a press release from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) citing a “technical hitch” during the final payroll run, forcing the deferment of these payments to December 18, 2025 when they will be rolled into December salaries. Teachers across the country are furious, viewing the delay as yet another breach of trust in an already strained relationship with the government.
What Are the Delayed Allowances?
These aren’t new or arbitrary payments they were hard-won concessions in the 2024 Collective Agreement negotiated between the teacher unions and the government.
- Continuous Professional Development Allowance (CPDA): An annual payment to support teachers’ ongoing training and licensing requirements under the Ghana Education Service (GES). Amounts are GH¢2,400 for professional teachers and GH¢1,800 for non-professional teachers (with a GH¢200 deduction in some cases for related fees).
- Complimentary Digital Instruction Support Allowance (CDISA/Digital Allowance): GH¢800 annually to help teachers acquire digital tools and data for instructional purposes, especially vital in the post-COVID era of blended learning.
Both were explicitly scheduled for payment every November under the 2024 agreement. Teachers rely on these funds for professional growth, licensing renewals, and basic digital needs like buying data bundles for online teaching resources.
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The CAGD’s Explanation: “Technical Hitch”
In a statement, the CAGD explained:
“Two categories of allowances scheduled for payment in November 2025 could not be processed due to a technical hitch encountered during the final payroll run… The outstanding allowances will be added to the December 2025 salaries and paid on 18th December 2025. We regret the inconvenience caused.”
The department assured that all other salaries and allowances would be paid on schedule. But for teachers, this explanation rings hollow especially since similar “technical issues” have delayed payments in the past.
Teacher Unions: Response: “Strongest Displeasure”
In their joint statement dated November 26, 2025, the unions didn’t mince words:
“We hereby register our strongest displeasure with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Education Service, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department for reneging on commitments freely entered into.”
They accused the government of undermining trust, lowering morale, and treating binding agreements casually. The unions demanded immediate intervention from the Minister for Education and warned:
“We hope that these issues will be promptly addressed, so as not to disturb the labour front.”
That’s code for: Fix this, or face industrial action.
NAGRAT President Angel Carbonu was particularly blunt in media interviews, reportedly saying the delayed payment is “not a Christmas or end-of-year package” but a contractual obligation that teachers budgeted for in November.
Why This Matters: Broader Context of Teacher Welfare in Ghana
This isn’t an isolated incident. Ghanaian teachers have repeatedly battled delays in allowances, promotion arrears, and poor conditions of service. Just months ago, unions threatened strikes over similar issues, including tax deductions on allowances and delays in TVET transitions.
The CPDA, in particular, is tied to the mandatory Professional Development Days and teacher licensing—meaning delays can indirectly affect license renewals and career progression.
On social media, teachers are venting:
- “We plan our lives around these allowances. How do you expect us to buy data or attend workshops without CDISA?”
- “Every year the same story. Technical hitch? More like political glitch.”
Government’s Silence and Next Steps
As of November 26 evening, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Education or Finance. The GES has only confirmed that regular November salaries are on track.
With the payments now pushed to December 18 just a week before Christmas many teachers feel this is a convenient way to bundle the money as a “holiday bonus,” which it absolutely is not.
Will There Be another Strike?
The unions have stopped short of declaring industrial action, but the threat is clear. Given their history of successful strikes (including the 2023 actions that forced allowance negotiations), the government would be wise to act fast.
Teachers keep Ghana’s education system running—often under challenging conditions. Delaying contractually agreed allowances isn’t just inconvenient; it’s disrespectful.
The ball is now in the government’s court. Will they pay up promptly, or will classrooms empty again before the Christmas break?
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