The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has denied reports that its Chief Executive Officer, Dr George Smith-Graham, directed that the salaries of teachers participating in the ongoing strike be deducted for every day they remain off duty.
The three pre-tertiary teacher unions have been on strike since September 28, 2026, over outstanding issues relating to their collective agreement and conditions of service.
Reports circulating amid the industrial action claimed that workers who engage in the strike would lose a day’s salary for each day they remain away from work.
However, in a statement, the FWSC said the comments attributed to Dr Smith-Graham were not made by him and do not represent the Commission’s position on the ongoing teachers’ strike.
“The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission wishes to state that our Chief Executive did not make the comments attributed to him in the said media report,” the Commission said.
The FWSC urged the public and media to disregard the purported comments and any conclusions drawn from them.
“The FWSC therefore respectfully appeals to the public and the media to disregard the purported comments and any conclusions drawn from them, as they do not represent a statement made by the Chief Executive or a position taken by the Commission in relation to the ongoing teachers’ strike,” it added.
The Commission said its engagement with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) remains focused on dialogue and negotiations over outstanding matters.
The FWSC met the leadership of the three unions on October 6, 2026, in an engagement chaired by Dr Smith-Graham.
The meeting was attended by GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba and PRETAG President King Awudu Ali, alongside other union representatives.
According to the Commission, the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss the concerns and demands raised by the unions.
Dr Smith-Graham said the engagement would be reconvened at a later date after further consultations with relevant stakeholders.
He also commended the union leaders for the peaceful manner in which the meeting was conducted.
The FWSC’s involvement in the dispute followed an emergency meeting convened by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu with the three teacher unions on September 28, the day the strike began.
The Minister subsequently indicated that the Commission would lead the next phase of formal negotiations on behalf of government.
The FWSC has reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the unions and other stakeholders to find a mutually acceptable and sustainable resolution to the outstanding issues.
