The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Ghana has denied reports that its Chief Executive, Dr. George Smith-Graham, threatened to deduct salaries of teachers participating in the ongoing nationwide strike. According to the Commission, Dr. Smith-Graham did not make the comments attributed to him in a media report. The FWSC has urged the public and media to disregard the report, stating it does not reflect the position of the Chief Executive or the Commission on the strike.
The FWSC's statement comes after a meeting with the leadership of three pre-tertiary teacher unions: the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG). The meeting, chaired by Dr. Smith-Graham, was attended by union leaders, including GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba, and PRETAG President King Awudu Ali. The meeting discussed outstanding concerns and demands presented by the unions.
The FWSC's involvement in the negotiations followed an emergency meeting between Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and the teacher unions on September 28, 2026, the same day the strike began. The Minister announced that the FWSC would lead the next phase of negotiations on behalf of the government. The Commission has since met with the teacher unions and commended them for the peaceful manner in which the meeting was conducted.
According to the FWSC, its focus is currently on dialogue and negotiations with the teacher unions to resolve outstanding issues concerning their collective agreement and conditions of service. The Commission has urged the public and media to rely on verified information from the FWSC and other authorized institutions for updates on the negotiations. This approach aims to ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
The nationwide strike by the three teacher unions began on September 28, 2026, and has caused concerns among stakeholders in the education sector. The FWSC's efforts to engage with the unions and find a lasting solution to their concerns are ongoing. The Commission has assured the public that it remains committed to finding a fair and lasting solution to the concerns raised by the teacher unions.
During the meeting, Dr. Smith-Graham indicated that the discussions would continue at a later date after the Commission had consulted relevant stakeholders on the demands. This approach demonstrates the Commission's commitment to engaging with all parties involved and finding a mutually beneficial solution. The FWSC's involvement is crucial in resolving the impasse and ensuring that the education sector is not adversely affected.
The FWSC has reaffirmed its commitment to finding a fair and lasting solution to the concerns raised by the teacher unions. The Commission's efforts to engage with the unions and other stakeholders are ongoing, and it is expected that a resolution will be reached soon. The public and media are urged to rely on verified information from authorized sources for updates on the negotiations.
Key points
- The FWSC has denied reports of ordering salary cuts for striking teachers in Ghana.
- The Commission is engaged in dialogue and negotiations with teacher unions to resolve outstanding issues.
- The FWSC remains committed to finding a fair and lasting solution to the concerns raised by the teacher unions.
