Teachers Union Slams Recruitment of 300 Teachers From Ghana

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The announcement that 300 Ghanaian teachers could soon be coming to The Bahamas has triggered fresh outrage from the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

Union president Belinda Wilson says members were blindsided after learning of the agreement through a social media post by Ghana’s minister of foreign affairs.

She says the union was never included in the negotiations.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers

“ This is egregious and highly offensive to the hardworking, dedicated teachers of The Bahamas.”

When the statement was released, social media went into a frenzy.

One facebook user called the matter concerning, and another criticized the government for bringing in foreign workers and not paying current ones.

Meanwhile, Wilson says that during recent meetings, the union presented its own recommendations for addressing the teacher shortage, including hiring more qualified Bahamians.

She says many university graduates from the 2025 and 2026 classes are still waiting to be employed.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers

“ Some of them have waited for months and years for salary reassessment, confirmation, rental allowances, marking for examinations, the allowance, disturbance allowance, hardship allowance, coaching allowances, and more, and all we get are excuses. Teachers who graduated from the University of the Bahamas from 2025, some are still waiting to be hired by the Ministry of Education.”

The union president is also questioning what the vetting process for the incoming teachers will look like.

She says while the government moved quickly to negotiate an international agreement, local teachers have been waiting for months and in some cases years for back pay and other outstanding matters to be resolved.

Opposition Deputy Leader and Shadow Minister of Education Shannondon Cartwright also criticized the government’s approach.

Shanendon Cartwright – Shadow Minister, Educaton

“ This is a slap in the face to teachers across our nation. The very fact that the Bahamian public in general, and the Bahamas Union of Teachers in particular, became aware of such an agreement via social media post of a foreign diplomat speaks to the lack of consultation and fundamental disrespect the government continues to show our educators.”

Wilson warns that if those issues remain unresolved, the union is prepared to take industrial action.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers

“ We will occupy Rawson Square. That’s the people’s square. The date and time to be announced.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education released a statement saying recruiting teachers from overseas is part of its effort to address a global teacher shortage.

Education Minister Chester Cooper says all recruits will undergo a rigorous vetting process, including qualification checks, background screening, and a mandatory six-month training program before entering Bahamian classrooms.