Gov’t Releases List of “Deprived Districts” for 20% Teacher Allowance; Rural Postings to Attract Premium

In a significant move aimed at bridging the educational gap between urban and rural Ghana, the government has officially released a comprehensive list of districts classified as "deprived." Teachers who accept postings to schools in these specified areas will be eligible for a 20% remote area allowance, an incentive designed to attract qualified educators to the villages.

The classified document, which has been circulating within educational circles, outlines a zonal approach to the incentive. While teachers posted to entire regions in the north will automatically qualify, their counterparts in the southern belt will only receive the benefit if they accept postings in specific, often hard-to-reach, districts.

The Northern Dominance

As expected, the majority of the country’s landmass has been classified as deprived. The entire regions of North East, Savannah, and Oti have been granted blanket deprivation status, meaning any teacher posted to any district in these regions will receive the 20% salary bump.

Other northern regions are also fully covered, with minor exceptions excluding major municipal capitals. The Northern Region qualifies entirely except for Tamale and Sagnariqu. Similarly, the Upper East Region qualifies entirely except for the Bolgatanga municipality, and the Upper West qualifies except for the Wa municipality.

In the Western North Region, teachers are covered in all areas except the more urbanized Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Sefwi Wiawso.

The Southern "Pockets"

For teachers in the middle and southern belts, the allowance is not region-wide but is instead targeted at specific districts that have historically lacked infrastructure and social amenities.

In the Ashanti Region, the focus is on the fringes, including Sekyere Afram Plains, Ejura Sekyedumasi, and the Amansie districts. The Eastern Region sees its share of the Volta Lake's influence, with Kwahu Afram Plains South and North topping the list, alongside Upper Manya Krobo and Fanteakwa North.

Interestingly, even the national capital’s region, Greater Accra, has "deprived" pockets. Teachers posted to Ada East, Ada West, and the sprawling Ningo Prampram district will enjoy the allowance despite their relative proximity to Accra.

Below is the full schedule of districts where the 20% deprivation allowance is applicable:

· ASHANTI: Sekyere Afram plains, Sekyere Central, Ejura Sekyedumasi, Bosome Freho, Amansie West, Amansie South.

· BONO: Banda, Tain, Jaman North, Jaman South, Dormaa West.

· BONO EAST: Sene West, Sene East, Pru West, Pru East, Atebubu Amantin.

· EASTERN: Kwahu Afram Plains South, Kwahu Afram Plains North, Upper Manya Krobo, Ayensuano, Fanteakwa North.

· GREATER ACCRA: Ada East, Ada West, Ningo Prampram.

· VOLTA: Agortime Zlope, South Dayi, North Tongu, Akatsi North, Anloga.

· WESTERN: Wassa East, Wassa Amanfi West, Wassa Amanfi East, Wassa Amenfi Central, Jomoro, Ellembelle.

· CENTRAL: Upper Denkyira West, Upper Denkyira East, Assin North, Assin South, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira.

· AHAFO: Asunafo South.

· NORTHERN: All Districts (except Tamale and Sagnariqu).

· NORTH EAST: All Districts.

· SAVANNAH: All Districts.

· UPPER EAST: All Districts (except Bolgatanga).

· UPPER WEST: All Districts (except Wa).

· OTI: All Districts.

· WESTERN NORTH: All Districts (except Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Sefwi Wiawso).

Policy Objective

The policy aims to address the chronic shortage of teachers in rural communities, where postings are often declined due to a lack of electricity, potable water, and social amenities. The 20% allowance is intended to serve as a financial motivation for newly trained teachers and experienced educators willing to work in these underserved communities.

Educational unions have long campaigned for a clear and expanded list, and this publication is expected to provide clarity for teachers awaiting postings.