WHY TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER IN GHANA: A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON VALUE, SACRIFICE, AND NATIONAL PRIORITY

WHY TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER IN GHANA: A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON VALUE, SACRIFICE, AND NATIONAL PRIORITY

By : Honeybrowne Okaakyire 

I looked at that message again and again: “We are in a country where after 20 working days, some workers’ take-home salary does not even get home.” The truth in it is uncomfortable, but I refuse to look away. As someone deeply connected to education, I don’t just see a statement, I see the lived reality of thousands of teachers across Ghana. And honestly, it hurts. Because behind every chalkboard, behind every lesson note, behind every tired smile in the classroom, there is a human being who is sacrificing more than they are receiving. I have watched teachers give their all; time, energy, resources and still go home with very little to show for it. That is not just unfortunate; it is unfair. And if we are being honest with ourselves, it is also dangerous for the future of this country.

THE SILENT SACRIFICE OF TEACHERS

I have seen teachers wake up at dawn, sometimes before the sun even thinks about rising, just to prepare for a day that will stretch their patience, creativity, and endurance. Some travel long distances, navigating bad roads, unreliable transport, and sometimes even dangerous conditions, just to stand in front of students who depend on them. And when they finally arrive, what do they meet? Overcrowded classrooms, limited teaching materials, and expectations that go far beyond their resources. Yet they still teach. They still give. They still show up. I have seen teachers use their own money to buy chalk, print handouts, and sometimes even support students who cannot afford basic necessities. These are not stories we hear in headlines, but they are happening every single day. And the painful part is that many of these teachers are not even earning enough to take care of their own needs comfortably. So I ask myself: if sacrifice had a salary, wouldn’t teachers be among the highest paid?

WHEN “TAKE-HOME” DOES NOT GET HOME

The phrase “take-home pay” has almost become a cruel joke in our system. Because by the time many teachers receive their salaries and begin to deduct rent, transportation, food, family responsibilities, and other unavoidable expenses, what remains is often insignificant. I have had conversations with colleagues who plan their entire salary before it even arrives, and yet they still fall short. Some rely on loans just to survive the month. Others take on side jobs, not because they want to, but because they have no choice. And this is where the problem becomes deeper than money, it begins to affect focus, morale, and performance. Because how do you expect someone to give their best in the classroom when they are mentally calculating how to survive the next week? It is not just about income; it is about stability, dignity, and peace of mind.

TEACHERS: THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY PROFESSION

I always remind myself of a simple but powerful truth: every successful person sitting in a position of influence today once sat in front of a teacher. The doctor, the engineer, the lawyer, the entrepreneur, even the politician, all of them were guided, taught, and shaped by a teacher. That alone should tell us the value of this profession. Yet, somehow, teachers are often placed at the lower end of the reward system. It doesn’t make sense. How can the foundation be weaker than the structure it supports? If we truly understand that teachers are the builders of human capital, then we should also understand that investing in them is not optional; it is essential.

THE COMPARISON WITH POLITICIANS

Let me be clear: I am not against politicians earning good salaries. Leadership is demanding, and it deserves compensation. But what I struggle to understand is the imbalance. In Ghana, many politicians enjoy significant benefits: comfortable salaries, allowances, official vehicles, and other privileges that make their work easier. Meanwhile, teachers are expected to perform under pressure with minimal support. I find myself asking a simple question: why is the one who shapes the nation treated as less important than the one who governs it? Both roles are crucial, but one cannot exist effectively without the other. The leaders we see today were once students in classrooms. So if we neglect teachers today, what kind of leaders are we preparing for tomorrow?

EDUCATION IS NOT CHEAP SO WHY ARE TEACHERS?

We often hear leaders say that education is the key to development. It is repeated in speeches, written in policies, and celebrated on national platforms. But I have come to realize that these words mean very little if they are not backed by action. Because if education truly matters, then teachers must matter too. You cannot claim to prioritize education while underpaying educators. It is a contradiction that weakens the entire system. Investment in education must go beyond infrastructure and textbooks. It must include the people who deliver that education. And those people are teachers.

THE EMOTIONAL BURDEN TEACHERS CARRY

Teaching goes far beyond delivering lessons. It involves emotional investment. I have seen teachers act as counselors, mentors, and even parental figures to students who are struggling in different ways. Some students come to school hungry, others come with emotional pain from broken homes, and some come with little hope for their future. Teachers are not only instructors; we serve as motivators, advisors, and counselors to our students. 

I vividly remember my personal experience in 2023 when three siblings; one in JHS 2, another in JHS 1, and the youngest in Class 3 came to school looking deeply sad and worried. Concerned, I called the eldest aside to find out what was wrong. She explained that their parents had divorced, and they were now living with their father, missing their caring mother. I had to step in to counsel, console, encourage, and guide them emotionally so they could settle down and learn effectively. It didn't just end there, they came to school that very day without school feeding fee, I stepped in and ensured they were fed. 

And in many cases, it is the teacher who steps in to provide guidance, encouragement, and support. That kind of responsibility is not easy. It requires patience, empathy, and resilience. But while teachers are busy supporting others, who is supporting them? That is the question we often ignore.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A nation that neglects its teachers is quietly weakening its own future. Because when teachers are undervalued, their motivation decreases. When motivation decreases, the quality of education suffers. And when education suffers, the entire country pays the price. It is a chain reaction that we cannot afford to ignore. If we want Ghana to develop, we must start by strengthening the foundation and that foundation is education. And at the center of education are teachers.

THE DANGEROUS NORMALIZATION OF STRUGGLE

One of the most worrying things I have observed is how society has normalized the struggle of teachers. Statements like “teaching is a calling” are often used to justify poor conditions. But I strongly disagree with that mindset. Passion should never be used as an excuse to exploit people. Yes, teaching is a noble profession, but nobility does not pay bills. Dedication does not replace fair compensation. If we continue to normalize this struggle, we will continue to lose talented individuals who could have made a difference in the classroom.

TEACHERS DESERVE DIGNITY, NOT SYMPATHY

I am not asking for sympathy for teachers. I am calling for dignity. And dignity means fair salaries, timely payments, opportunities for growth, and respect in society. Teachers do not need to be pitied, they need to be valued. They need to be recognized not just in words, but in action. Because appreciation without improvement is meaningless.

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND POLICY MAKERS

Institutions like the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education have a critical role to play in changing this narrative. Policies must reflect the importance of teachers. Salaries must be reviewed. Allowances must be improved. Working conditions must be enhanced. And most importantly, there must be a genuine commitment to supporting teachers, not just in speeches, but in practical ways.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TEACHERS ARE WELL TREATED?

I strongly believe that when teachers are treated well, everything else improves. Motivation increases. Performance improves. Students benefit. And the nation progresses. It is a simple equation with powerful results. Investing in teachers is one of the smartest decisions any country can make.

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I CAN’T IGNORE

I remember a colleague once telling me, “I love teaching, but I am tired of suffering.” That statement has stayed with me because it captures the reality of many teachers. They are passionate about what they do, but the conditions they work under are draining that passion. And if we are not careful, we will lose that passion completely.

THE MORAL QUESTION WE MUST ANSWER

At some point, we must ask ourselves a serious question: is it right for those who are building the future to struggle in the present? If the answer is no, then we must act. Because knowing the problem and doing nothing about it only makes us part of the problem.

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF NEGLECT

Change is possible, but it requires effort. It requires advocacy, awareness, and action. Teacher unions must continue to speak up. The public must recognize the importance of teachers. And policymakers must take responsibility. Because without action, nothing changes.

MY APPEAL TO GHANA

I am speaking not just as an observer, but as someone who cares deeply about the future of this country. Ghana cannot move forward if its teachers are left behind. We cannot build strong systems on weak foundations. And we cannot expect excellence from people who are struggling to survive.

FINAL THOUGHT: A CALL FOR FAIRNESS

At the heart of this issue is fairness. Teachers are not asking for luxury, they are asking for what is right. They want to live comfortably, work with dignity, and feel valued. And honestly, that is not too much to ask.

CONCLUSION: IT IS TIME TO PRIORITIZE TEACHERS

As I reflect on everything, one thing is clear to me: the way we treat teachers today will determine the future of Ghana tomorrow. If we continue to neglect them, we are weakening our own progress. But if we choose to invest in them, to support them, and to value them, we will build a stronger nation. So I say this without hesitation, let us prioritize the welfare of teachers at every single opportunity. Not later. Not someday. Now.