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Good News for GES Staff: Payment of Salary Arrears Approved – Instalments Begin in May 2026

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has brought much-needed relief to thousands of education workers with the official approval for the payment of long-overdue salary arrears.

In a formal communication dated Monday, 20th April 2026, GES Headquarters in Accra announced that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), has authorised the release of funds to clear arrears accumulated by eligible staff.

This development follows persistent concerns raised by teachers and other GES personnel regarding delayed payments, particularly for newly recruited and validated staff.

Background of the Approval

The approval utilises the 2024 financial clearance extended by the Ministry of Finance. GES management referenced an earlier official letter confirming that all verification and mechanisation processes have been completed, paving the way for disbursement.

The arrears in question cover the period from 1st August 2024 to November 2025 a span of approximately 16 months for many affected staff. Delays during this period were largely attributed to administrative bottlenecks, payroll validation issues, and financial clearance processes.

Who is Eligible?

The payment approval targets eligible GES staff (both teaching and non-teaching) who:

Were recruited or validated within the affected period
Experienced delays in monthly salary disbursements between August 2024 and November 2025
Have been properly mechanised on the payroll system

This primarily benefits newly posted teachers and other staff whose salaries were held up due to verification or clearance challenges.

Payment Structure – Five Instalments

To manage the fiscal impact while ensuring timely relief, the arrears will be paid in phased instalments as follows:

May 2026 — First instalment (4 months of arrears)
June 2026 — Second instalment (4 months)
July 2026 — Third instalment (4 months)
August 2026 — Fourth instalment
September 2026 or later — Final instalment (to clear the remaining balance)

This structured approach allows the government to spread the payment without overwhelming the national budget while giving staff predictable inflows to manage their finances.

Official Directive to Regions

GES management, through the Acting Deputy Director-General (Management Services), Prof. Smile Dzisi, has directed all Regional Directors to immediately communicate this information to all Heads of Schools and institutions under their jurisdiction.

The goal is to ensure every eligible staff member is well-informed and prepared for the upcoming payments. Regional and District Directors have been asked to facilitate any final verifications if required.

The letter was signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi on behalf of the Director-General and copied to key stakeholders in the Ministry of Education and GES leadership.

What This Means for Teachers and GES Staff

For many education workers, especially newly recruited teachers, these arrears represent months of financial hardship, including difficulties paying rent, school fees, utilities, and supporting families.

While the instalment plan means the full amount will not arrive at once, it provides a clear and reliable timeline — a significant improvement over prolonged uncertainty.

This move also signals the government’s commitment to resolving payroll challenges in the education sector and restoring confidence among frontline educators.