Story: News Desk 

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has dismissed calls by some Ghanaians to close down all Teacher Training Colleges in response to the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

CETAG initiated a nationwide strike on June 14, citing the government’s failure to implement their arbitral awards and other conditions of service. 

The nearly two-week-old strike has disrupted academic activities, leaving most campuses deserted by students.

In an interview with the media, Professor Francis K. E. Nunoo, Deputy Director General of GTEC, emphasized that closing the colleges was  not an option due to the severe financial implications it would entail.

“Closing the schools has financial implications, as well as their staying in school,” Professor Nunoo stated.

“We have done quite a lot of work, and many of their demands are virtually almost addressed. We are hopeful that in the next few days, we will bring a final resolution to the issues so they can go back to school. Students are meanwhile engaged in their practical work, which needs supervision. At least they are getting busy with their practical work.”

Professor Nunoo expressed optimism that CETAG would soon call off the strike. 

“We are hopeful that in the next few days, CETAG will see a reason to call off the strike. It is when all these efforts do not yield results that we will consider other options,” he added.