Pre-tertiary teacher unions have rejected a call by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to wait for the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission before outstanding conditions of service are addressed.
The FWSC says it is willing to continue discussions with the unions but argues that the planned transition to the new commission means it will not conduct a comprehensive review of public sector conditions of service this year.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), however, insist that government must implement allowances that have already been agreed upon.
Their demands include a 20% deprived-area allowance, a digital allowance and a professional development allowance.
Chief Executive Officer of the FWSC, Dr. Smith Graham, said the Commission had already held two meetings with the unions to discuss their concerns.
He explained that the Commission was focusing on specific outstanding allowances rather than undertaking a broader review of conditions of service because of the planned transition.
Dr. Graham appealed to the unions to exercise patience until the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission assumes responsibility for public sector remuneration.
NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, rejected the appeal, saying teachers could not continue waiting for a commission that had not yet been established.
He stressed that the unions were not demanding new benefits but were seeking the implementation of commitments already reached with government.
GNAT General Secretary Thomas Tanko Musah also warned that failure to resolve the issues could lead to industrial action.
He said the unions’ September 7, 2026 deadline remains unchanged and urged government to use the available time to reach an agreement.
The unions maintain that the planned establishment of a new emoluments body should not delay the implementation of already negotiated conditions of service.
