Newly employers teachers whose salaries have not been paid for almost one year on Tuesday hit the streets of Accra in a protest march, demanding that the government should pay them their salaries.

The teachers — all graduates from universities and colleges of education — gathered at the Obra Spot at Circle and marched to the Jubilee House and the Ministries of Education and Finance.

They accused the government of neglect, saying they have been teaching since their postings but have not received a single month’s salary.

They carried placards with messages such as “13 months in darkness, but we still shine for the children,” “Minister of Finance, stop the delay — our clearance is our lifeline,” and “Without teachers, no nation. Kill the teacher, kill the future.”

Others read: “We are not volunteers, we are teachers — pay us,” and “Release our staff ID.”

“This is heartbreaking,” said Ama Ofori, a graduate teacher from Kumasi. “Every day we stand before our pupils to teach them discipline and responsibility, but our government has failed to show us the same respect.”

Another protester, Michael Nartey, told the media that many of his colleagues were struggling to survive. “How do they expect us to live? We borrow just to pay rent and transport fares to school. Some of my colleagues are giving up on the profession altogether.”

For others, the situation is deeply personal. “I come from a poor background,” said Mary Mensah. “My family invested everything for me to finish school. Today, I cannot even send money home, and it is killing me inside.”