Pay Teachers or Expect More Failures — Ntim Fordjour Fires Government Over Unpaid Allowances

Former Deputy Education Minister Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has sparked a nationwide debate after boldly urging the government to immediately release all outstanding teacher allowances, warning that student performance will continue to drop if educators remain demotivated.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Ntim Fordjour said Ghana cannot continue blaming teachers for poor academic outcomes when the state has failed to meet its basic obligations toward them. He stressed that motivation, welfare, and timely payment of allowances are the backbone of effective teaching — and ignoring these realities only deepens the education crisis.

According to him, teachers cannot deliver top-tier performance when they themselves are struggling, adding that schools—especially the mission schools known for producing some of Ghana’s brightest students—should be supported rather than confronted.

He argued that releasing funds to the Ministry of Education and clearing all arrears would restore morale, reduce absenteeism, and empower teachers to deliver quality instruction that improves national results.

Education analysts and teacher unions have welcomed Ntim Fordjour’s appeal, noting that Ghana’s classrooms continue to suffer from limited resources, overcrowding, and delayed compensation — conditions that make high student performance nearly impossible.

They say teacher welfare is not optional and must be treated as a central pillar of Ghana’s education reforms, not an afterthought.

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As the 2025/2026 academic year draws near, many are watching closely to see whether government responds to the growing pressure. Stakeholders insist that clearing outstanding allowances could be the turning point students desperately need.