CAGD Responds to Concerns Over Delays in Teacher Promotion Payroll Processing

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has clarified the payroll validation process for promotions and upgrades of teachers following concerns raised by teacher unions over alleged delays in placing promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales.

In a press release dated September 27, 2026, CAGD said it had taken note of recent statements from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG) concerning the issue.

The Department acknowledged the concerns raised by the unions and affected teachers, while stating that it remains committed to the timely and accurate payment of salaries and allowances to public sector workers in line with approved procedures and payroll controls.

How the teacher promotion payroll process works

CAGD explained that Ghana’s government payroll system operates through two main platforms.

The first is the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), which is managed by the employer or relevant management unit. In the case of teachers, this includes the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The second is the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database 2 (IPPD2), which is managed by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.

According to CAGD, the two platforms form part of the established process through which promotions and upgrades are initiated, processed and validated for payroll purposes.

Employer initiates promotions through HRMIS

Under the process outlined by CAGD, the responsibility for initiating and effecting teacher promotions rests with the employer.

The employer is expected to initiate and effect the promotion in HRMIS and subsequently submit the required documentation to CAGD for validation and payroll processing.

This means that the payroll validation stage follows the employer’s action in the HRMIS system.

For teachers awaiting the implementation of promotions or upgrades, the clarification establishes the distinction between the employer’s role in initiating the change and CAGD’s role in validating the documentation for payroll processing.

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Documents required for payroll validation

CAGD said employers must submit specific documents after initiating promotions or upgrades.

One of the required documents is a promotion/change-of-grade input form, which must be completed and signed by an authorised preparer and an approver. The specimen signatures of the authorised officials are also required to be submitted to CAGD.

The second required document is a copy of the promotion or upgrading letter issued to the affected employee.

CAGD stressed that these documents are not merely administrative formalities. The Department said they are essential to the payroll validation process.

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CAGD responds to concerns over teacher promotions

The clarification follows statements from GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG concerning alleged delays affecting teachers who have been promoted but are yet to be placed on their appropriate salary scales.

CAGD said it acknowledges the concerns raised by the unions and affected teachers.

The Department also assured the public, particularly teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector, that it remains committed to the timely and accurate payment of salaries and allowances owed to public sector workers.

At the same time, CAGD’s explanation indicates that payroll processing for promotions and upgrades is subject to established documentation and validation requirements.

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What teachers and education stakeholders should know

The key point in CAGD’s clarification is that a teacher’s promotion or upgrade involves processes at both the employer and payroll levels.

The employer is responsible for initiating and effecting the promotion through HRMIS. After this is done, the necessary documentation must be submitted to CAGD, where the information is validated for payroll processing.

The required documentation identified by CAGD includes the duly completed and authorised promotion or change-of-grade input form, together with the employee’s promotion or upgrading letter.

The Department’s September 27 statement therefore provides a clarification of the administrative process that connects teacher promotions and upgrades to payroll validation.

For affected teachers and education-sector stakeholders, the process outlined by CAGD places particular emphasis on the submission and validation of the required documents before payroll processing can be completed.