Applications open from September 14 to September 28, 2026

The Ghana Education Service (GES), Headquarters, has invited applications from suitably qualified serving Non-Teaching Staff for promotion to various upper grades in the Service.

The invitation is contained in a GES letter dated September 11, 2026, with reference number GES/DD-G(MS)/S1/26/429, signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), Deputy Director-General (Management Services), for the Director-General.

The 2026 promotion exercise covers 10 classes of Non-Teaching Staff, including Accounting, Internal Audit, Administration, Catering, Technical, Librarian, Supply, Laboratory Technician, Secretarial and Driver classes.

Applications are to be submitted online from Monday, September 14 to Monday, September 28, 2026.

Article Information

Fact Check & Editorial Review

Status: Based on the GES circular dated September 11, 2026 supplied for publication.

The notice invites eligible serving Non-Teaching Staff of the Ghana Education Service to apply for promotion to specified upper grades.

The eligibility requirement stated in the circular is that an applicant must have been promoted to one of the specified grades in or before 2022, must have remained continuously at post since that promotion, except for periods of approved absence, and must have a very satisfactory work history and good conduct.

The circular also provides a route for eligible officers who intend to rely on Master’s or Doctorate qualifications to participate in the promotion interviews out of turn.

Applicants should carefully follow the requirements in the official GES circular and use only the designated online application process.

Key Takeaways

• GES has opened the 2026 promotion exercise for Non-Teaching Staff.
• Applications open on September 14, 2026.
• The application deadline is September 28, 2026.
• Applications are to be submitted online.
• The exercise covers 10 Non-Teaching Staff classes.
• Eligible applicants must generally have been promoted to the relevant grade in or before 2022.
• Applicants must have been continuously at post since the relevant promotion, except for approved absence.
• A satisfactory work record and good conduct are required.
• Eligible Master’s and PhD holders may use their qualifications for out-of-turn promotion interviews, subject to the stated conditions.
• Applicants should upload only the documents required by GES.

➡️ Related: GES Promotion: Requirements, Interviews and Career Progression Guide

➡️ Related: GES Promotion for Teachers: What Every Applicant Should Know

Introduction

Promotion within the Ghana Education Service provides an important pathway for career progression among both teaching and non-teaching personnel.

For 2026, GES has announced a dedicated promotion opportunity for serving Non-Teaching Staff occupying various professional, technical, administrative and support positions.

The exercise is particularly significant because it covers several classes of staff whose work supports the administrative and operational functions of schools, districts, regions and GES Headquarters.

Eligible officers are therefore encouraged to study the requirements carefully and submit their applications within the prescribed period.

GES Non-Teaching Staff Grades Open for Promotion

The 2026 exercise covers the following classes.

1. Accounting Class

Applicants in the Accounting Class may apply for promotion to:

• Chief Accountant II
• Deputy Chief Accountant I
• Deputy Chief Accountant II
• Principal Accountant

2. Internal Audit Class

The grades listed for the Internal Audit Class are:

• Chief Internal Auditor II
• Deputy Chief Internal Auditor I
• Deputy Chief Internal Auditor II
• Principal Internal Auditor

3. Non-Accounting/Administrative Class

The available grades include:

• Chief Administrative Officer II
• Deputy Chief Administrative Officer I
• Deputy Chief Administrative Officer II
• Principal Administrative Officer

4. Catering Class

The Catering Class covers:

• Chief Domestic Bursar
• Deputy Chief Domestic Bursar
• Principal Domestic Bursar

5. Technical Class

The Technical Class includes:

• Chief Technical Officer
• Deputy Chief Technical Officer
• Principal Chief Technical Officer

6. Librarian Class

Eligible Librarian Class officers may apply for:

• Chief Librarian
• Deputy Chief Librarian
• Principal Librarian

7. Supply Class

The Supply Class includes:

• Chief Supply Officer
• Deputy Chief Supply Officer
• Principal Supply Officer

8. Laboratory Technician Class

The promotion grades are:

• Chief Laboratory Technician
• Deputy Chief Laboratory Technician
• Principal Laboratory Technician

9. Secretarial Class

The Secretarial Class includes:

• Principal Private Secretary
• Senior Private Secretary
• Private Secretary

10. Driver Class

The Driver Class covers:

• Yard Foreman
• Chief Driver
• Principal Driver

➡️ Related: GES Non-Teaching Staff Career Structure and Promotion Guide

Who Qualifies to Apply?

According to the GES circular, an applicant should satisfy the following key conditions:

Promotion Date

The applicant should have been promoted to any of the relevant grades in or before 2022.

This means officers whose relevant promotion occurred after 2022 should carefully check the circular and applicable conditions before assuming eligibility.

Continuous Service at Post

The applicant should have been continuously at post since the relevant promotion, except for periods of approved absence.

Work History

Applicants are expected to have a very satisfactory work history.

Conduct

Applicants must also demonstrate good conduct in the Ghana Education Service.

These conditions are important because meeting the minimum years or promotion-date requirement alone does not necessarily satisfy every condition for participation.

Special Provision for Master’s and PhD Holders

The circular also makes provision for officers who wish to rely on Master’s or Doctorate qualifications to participate in the promotion interviews out of turn.

However, possessing a postgraduate qualification does not automatically mean that an officer qualifies for out-of-turn consideration.

The circular specifies conditions relating to the qualification.

Approved Course of Study

The Master’s or PhD programme must be among the approved GES courses of study.

Date of Qualification

The applicant must have obtained the relevant qualification in or before 2023, according to the stated conditions in the circular.

Qualification Must Relate to Promotion Circumstances

The circular further specifies that the certificate should not have been obtained before the officer’s previous promotion where the qualification is being relied upon for the out-of-turn promotion consideration.

Applicants should therefore provide accurate information about the date of their previous promotion and the date on which the postgraduate qualification was obtained.

How to Apply for the 2026 GES Non-Teaching Promotion

The 2026 exercise is being conducted online.

Applicants should use the designated GES application platform indicated in the official circular:

NON-TEACHING STAFF 2026 APPLICATION:
GES Non-Teaching Staff 2026 Application Portal

Applicants should also use the QR code provided in the official GES notice where applicable.

Step 1: Access the Online Application

Open the designated application link and begin the application process.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Applicants should provide the required information accurately and review the details before submitting the form.

Step 3: Upload a Recent Passport Photograph

A recent passport-sized photograph should be uploaded as required by the application platform.

Step 4: Upload the Required Employment Document

The circular specifies that applicants should upload only their:

• Last promotion/upgrading letter; or
• Appointment letter to their current grade.

Applicants should avoid uploading unnecessary documents that are not requested.

Step 5: Upload Master’s or Doctorate Certificate Where Applicable

Applicants relying on a Master’s or Doctorate qualification for out-of-turn consideration should upload the relevant certificate.

Step 6: Check Document Format

The required documents should be uploaded in PDF format, except the passport photograph.

Documents should be clear, readable and properly scanned before submission.

➡️ Related: GES Promotion Application: Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Application Deadline

The application window runs from:

Monday, September 14, 2026

to

Monday, September 28, 2026.

Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final day before submitting their applications.

Where technical problems occur, applicants should document the problem and contact the appropriate GES office or use the enquiry contact provided in the circular.

GES Contact for Enquiries

For enquiries relating to the exercise, the circular provides the following email address:

ddgmssecretariat@ges.gov.gh

Applicants should use the official contact for clarification rather than relying on unofficial social media pages or intermediaries.

Important Advice to Applicants

Non-Teaching Staff interested in the promotion exercise should take the following precautions:

Verify Your Eligibility

Check your promotion date, current grade, service status and work history against the stated requirements.

Prepare Your Documents Early

Ensure that the relevant promotion, upgrading or appointment letter is available and legible before beginning the application.

Check Your Postgraduate Qualification

Applicants relying on a Master’s or PhD qualification should confirm that the programme is among the approved GES courses of study and that the qualification satisfies the date requirements.

Use Only the Official Application Channel

Do not submit sensitive employment information through unverified links circulated on social media.

Do Not Upload Unrequested Documents

The circular specifically identifies the documents to be uploaded. Applicants should follow those instructions carefully.

Keep Evidence of Submission

After completing the application, applicants should retain any confirmation, reference number, screenshot or other evidence generated by the application platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the 2026 GES Non-Teaching promotion exercise?

The exercise is for suitably qualified serving GES Non-Teaching Staff who meet the specified requirements.

What promotion year is required?

The applicant should have been promoted to one of the relevant grades in or before 2022, subject to the other eligibility conditions.

Can Master’s and PhD holders apply out of turn?

Yes, eligible officers may rely on approved Master’s or Doctorate qualifications for out-of-turn interview consideration, subject to the conditions stated by GES.

Can I upload several supporting documents?

Applicants should upload only the documents specifically requested in the GES instructions.

Is the application online?

Yes. The 2026 exercise is being conducted online through the designated application platform.

When does the application close?

The application period closes on September 28, 2026.

Where can applicants seek clarification?

Enquiries may be directed to ddgmssecretariat@ges.gov.gh.

Conclusion

The Ghana Education Service has opened a significant promotion opportunity for serving Non-Teaching Staff across 10 professional and support classes.

The exercise covers Accounting, Internal Audit, Administration, Catering, Technical, Librarian, Supply, Laboratory Technician, Secretarial and Driver classes.

Eligible officers should not wait until the closing date to begin their applications. They should first confirm their eligibility, prepare the required documents and carefully complete the online application.

For officers seeking out-of-turn consideration through Master’s or Doctorate qualifications, particular attention should be paid to the approved course of study and qualification-date requirements.

Application period: September 14–28, 2026.

About the Author

Ferdinand Ellis is a Ghanaian education blogger, curriculum specialist, researcher and education policy analyst. He is the founder of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, and writes on Ghana’s education policies, teacher development, examinations, recruitment, promotion and professional advancement.

Editorial Note

This report is based on the GES Headquarters circular dated September 11, 2026, Reference GES/DD-G(MS)/S1/26/429.

Applicants should rely on the original GES communication and official application platform for final verification of eligibility, documentation and application requirements.