Ghana's Teacher Strike Highlights the Need for More Support in Schools

Ghana's Schools Are Facing Disruption

Ghana's new school year has been disrupted by a nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions, with public schools in several parts of the country reporting little or no teaching activity.

The strike began on September 25 after the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) raised concerns including promotion arrears, salary placement and outstanding conditions of service.

Reports from the Ghana News Agency on September 29 found public schools closed or largely deserted in areas including Krachi East, Kadjebi, Akatsi and Dormaa. In some schools, pupils had arrived expecting classes but found no teachers available.

The Ghana Education Service has warned that a prolonged strike could disrupt the academic calendar, while discussions between the government and teacher unions continue.

Could Volunteers Provide Additional Support?

The current strike is a dispute that needs to be resolved between Ghana's government and teacher unions. International volunteers cannot replace qualified teachers or provide a solution to the country's broader education challenges.

But volunteers can provide additional support to schools and community education projects when appropriate.

Depending on the project, volunteers may help with English conversation and reading, sports and activities, basic computer skills, after-school programs, educational materials or practical projects. The role should always complement local staff rather than replace qualified teachers.

This can be particularly relevant in rural and underserved areas. A UNICEF report published in 2026 found persistent inequalities in the distribution of teachers across Ghana, with some schools facing greater staffing challenges than others. The report also highlighted continuing concerns about learning outcomes in subjects including English and mathematics.

For a school or community project, an additional responsible person can sometimes provide useful help with activities that local staff may not have enough time to organise on their own.

Which Ghanaian Projects Can Host Volunteers?

Schools are not the only organisations that can benefit from international volunteers.

Potential hosts can include:

• Schools and community education projects
• English-language and after-school programs
• Youth and community organisations
• NGOs and grassroots projects
• Sports and activity programs
• Homestays connected to local education or community projects

A project does not need to be a large international organisation to host a volunteer. What matters is having a genuine need for help and being able to provide a suitable and clearly explained arrangement.

How Roamhelp Helps Ghanaian Hosts Find Volunteers

Roamhelp is a platform where hosts can create profiles describing their projects and the help they need, while international volunteers can find opportunities that match their interests and abilities.

The standard Roamhelp exchange is simple: agreed help in exchange for accommodation and meals.

For smaller hosts, providing food every day can sometimes be difficult. Roamhelp also allows a host to specify that a traveler contribution toward food is required, with the amount and arrangement agreed clearly in advance.

This gives Ghanaian schools, community projects and other organisations more flexibility when deciding whether hosting a volunteer is practical for them.

Hosts can explain what help they need, how many hours are expected, the accommodation available, meals, days off, minimum stay and any other important expectations before accepting a volunteer.

Do You Need Volunteers for a Project in Ghana?

Ghana has many schools, community organisations and local projects where additional volunteer support could be useful.

The current teacher strike has once again highlighted the importance of education and the people who support it. But volunteer opportunities can extend beyond the current situation, providing additional help to local organisations throughout the year.

If you run a school, community education project, NGO, youth organisation, homestay or another local project in Ghana, and you have genuine help that an international volunteer could provide, you can create a free host profile on Roamhelp.

Tell volunteers what you do, what help you need and what you can offer in return — and start connecting with people who want to help while experiencing life in Ghana.