The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Ghana has issued a statement denying media reports that its Chief Executive, Dr George Smith-Graham, directed that the salaries of striking teachers be deducted for every day they remain off work. The Commission urged the public and media to disregard the reports and any conclusions drawn from them. This denial comes amid an ongoing strike by the country's pre-tertiary teacher unions.
The FWSC is currently engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the three pre-tertiary teacher unions - Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) - to address outstanding issues relating to their collective agreement and conditions of service. On October 6, 2026, the Commission met with the leadership of these unions to discuss their demands.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Smith-Graham, was attended by high-ranking officials from the unions, including GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba, and PRETAG President King Awudu Ali. The FWSC stated that the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss the outstanding issues and demands raised by the unions.
According to the FWSC, the engagement would be reconvened at a later date to allow the Commission to undertake further consultations on the demands presented by the unions and engage relevant stakeholders before negotiations resume. Dr Smith-Graham commended the union leaders for the peaceful manner in which the discussions were conducted.
The FWSC's involvement in the negotiations followed an emergency meeting convened by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu with the leadership of the unions on September 28, 2026, after the strike began. The Minister subsequently indicated that the Commission would lead the next phase of formal negotiations on behalf of the government.
The nationwide strike by the teacher unions commenced on September 28, 2026. The FWSC reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the unions and other stakeholders, emphasizing that continued dialogue and good-faith negotiations were critical to finding a mutually acceptable and sustainable resolution.
The Commission also urged the public and media to rely on verified information from the FWSC and other appropriate authorities for updates on the negotiations. The FWSC's statement aims to provide clarity on its position regarding the striking teachers and the ongoing negotiations.
Key points
- The FWSC denies reports of directing salary deductions for striking teachers.
- The Commission is engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the teacher unions to address their demands.
- The negotiations aim to find a mutually acceptable and sustainable resolution to the concerns of the teacher unions.
