The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Ghana is set to meet with the leadership of three teacher unions on October 6, 2026, to discuss their concerns over conditions of service. This meeting follows a nationwide strike by the teacher unions over outstanding arrears, particularly promotion arrears, and other demands concerning their conditions of service. The unions have been on strike, disrupting teaching and learning in schools across the country.
Prior to the meeting, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu made a renewed appeal to the teachers to suspend the strike and return to the classroom while negotiations continue. Speaking at the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony on October 5, 2026, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the unions' concerns and restoring normal teaching and learning. He encouraged the teachers to consider calling off the strike action, highlighting its potential to disrupt their future.
The government, under President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has expressed its readiness to engage with the unions in finding an amicable solution to the impasse. According to Mr. Iddrisu, the FWSC has been mandated by the Finance Minister to meet with the unions and negotiate their demands. The Minister assured the teachers that the government is committed to resolving their issues.
One of the key concerns of the teacher unions is the payment of promotion arrears, which has been a persistent issue in Ghana's pre-tertiary education sector. The unions have repeatedly called on the government to settle payments owed to teachers. Additionally, teachers eligible for the 20 percent deprived-area allowance are expected to receive payment after the ongoing validation exercise is completed.
The outcome of the meeting between the FWSC and the teacher unions is expected to shape the next steps in efforts to resolve the dispute and bring teaching and learning back to normal in schools. The engagement comes at a critical time, with the strike having caused significant disruptions to the education sector. The meeting's success is crucial in determining the future of the strike and the welfare of the teachers.
The Education Minister also made a personal commitment to the teachers, stating that he would have no honor if their arrears are not paid by October 30, 2026. This statement underscores the government's urgency in resolving the issue and addressing the concerns of the teacher unions. The FWSC's meeting with the unions is a critical step towards finding a solution to the impasse.
The nationwide strike by the teacher unions has had a significant impact on the education sector, with many schools affected. The strike has also raised concerns about the welfare of the teachers and the quality of education in Ghana. As the FWSC meets with the unions, stakeholders are hopeful that a resolution will be reached, and teaching and learning will resume in schools across the country.
Key points
- The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission will meet with the leadership of three teacher unions to discuss concerns over conditions of service.
- The meeting follows a nationwide strike by the teacher unions over outstanding arrears and other demands concerning their conditions of service.
- The government has expressed its readiness to engage with the unions in finding an amicable solution to the impasse.
