The Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has expressed concern over reports that the government plans to recruit about 7,000 trained teachers, warning that the move could worsen graduate unemployment and disrupt the country’s teacher posting system.

In a statement issued on April 12, the association said the proposed recruitment figure is insufficient to address the backlog of trained teachers from 2022, as well as significant numbers from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts who are yet to be employed.

While acknowledging prevailing economic challenges, TTAG criticised what it described as a limited recruitment approach, arguing that it would leave many qualified teachers without jobs.

The association also raised concerns about a possible shift away from the long-standing policy of automatic posting for newly trained teachers, stressing that any such change must be clearly communicated and discussed with stakeholders.

TTAG further rejected what it termed an uncertain and unstructured recruitment system, insisting that teacher employment should follow a predictable, annual process to give graduates clarity after completing their training.

The group is demanding that the government publish a clear national roadmap outlining how it intends to clear the existing backlog and absorb future graduates into the education sector.

It also called on the Ministry of Finance to review the proposed recruitment numbers upward as a demonstration of commitment to tackling unemployment among trained teachers.

TTAG warned that it would not remain silent as delays and uncertainty continue to affect its members, stressing that the issue goes beyond employment figures to matters of fairness and confidence in Ghana’s teacher education system.