The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has engaged GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG over their Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
By Ferdinand Ellis | EducateGhana.com
Article Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication | EducateGhana.com |
| Category | Teacher Education / Education News / Labour Relations |
| Date | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
| Article Type | Education and Labour Relations News |
| Primary Keyword | FWSC engages teacher unions over Collective Agreement |
| Status | Meeting Held, Further Consultations Required |
Fact Check & Editorial Review
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has engaged the leadership of Ghana’s three pre-tertiary teacher unions over outstanding issues relating to their Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
The meeting was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the premises of the FWSC as part of the government’s efforts to address concerns raised by the unions amid their ongoing nationwide industrial action.
The engagement did not conclude the negotiations. According to FWSC Chief Executive Dr George Smith-Graham, the meeting will be reconvened after the Commission undertakes further consultations on the issues presented by the unions.
Key Takeaways
- FWSC met the leadership of GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG on October 6, 2026.
- Discussions focused on outstanding issues concerning the unions’ Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
- The meeting was chaired by FWSC Chief Executive Dr George Smith-Graham.
- FWSC will undertake further consultations before the negotiations resume.
- The meeting did not conclude the Collective Agreement negotiations.
- The teacher unions’ nationwide strike remains ongoing.
- Government has appealed to the unions to suspend the industrial action to create an atmosphere conducive to negotiations.
In Brief
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has begun formal engagement with Ghana’s three pre-tertiary teacher unions over their outstanding Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
The meeting brought together FWSC and the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduate Teachers and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana.
Further consultations will now take place before the engagement resumes.
FWSC Meets GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG
The FWSC meeting brought together senior representatives of the three teacher unions.
Those present included Thomas Musah, General Secretary of GNAT, Jacob Anaba, President of NAGRAT, and King Awudu Ali, President of PRETAG, together with other union leaders.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Dr George Smith-Graham.
The discussions provided an opportunity for the Commission and union leadership to examine the outstanding concerns and demands raised by the teachers.
➡️ Related: Teacher Strike: What GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG Are Demanding
➡️ Related: Teacher Conditions of Service and Collective Agreement Explained
Negotiations Not Yet Concluded
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Smith-Graham said the engagement would be reconvened at a later date.
He explained that the Commission needed to undertake further consultations on the demands presented by the unions before the negotiations could resume.
The consultations are expected to allow the FWSC to consider the issues raised and engage relevant stakeholders as part of the process.
Dr Smith-Graham also commended the leadership of the unions for the peaceful nature of the meeting.
The development therefore represents a continuation of the negotiation process rather than the conclusion of a new Collective Agreement.
➡️ Related: FWSC to Continue Talks with Teacher Unions Over Conditions of Service
➡️ Related: Teacher Strike: Key Issues Still Awaiting Resolution
How the FWSC Engagement Began
The October 6 engagement followed an emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, with the leadership of the three teacher unions on Monday, September 28, 2026.
That meeting was held after the commencement of the unions’ nationwide industrial action.
Following the September 28 engagement, the Education Minister announced that the FWSC would spearhead the next phase of formal negotiations on behalf of government.
The October 6 meeting therefore forms part of the formal process established to address the outstanding issues concerning the Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
Teacher Strike Remains Ongoing
The FWSC engagement took place against the background of the ongoing nationwide strike by GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG.
The government has appealed to the leadership of the unions to suspend the industrial action to create a conducive atmosphere for constructive negotiations.
However, the FWSC meeting itself does not amount to a suspension or termination of the strike.
The unions’ position on the industrial action remains an important development to watch as the formal negotiations continue.
➡️ Related: Teacher Strike Update: What Happens After the FWSC Meeting?
➡️ Related: Government Appeals to Teacher Unions to Suspend Strike
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is for the FWSC to conduct the consultations it says are necessary before reconvening the negotiations.
The key issues to watch include:
- The outcome of the FWSC’s further consultations.
- The date for the next engagement with the unions.
- The specific issues that will be tabled for further negotiation.
- Any agreements reached on the Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
- The unions’ position on the ongoing industrial action.
Until a formal agreement is reached and communicated by the relevant parties, the outstanding issues remain subject to negotiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teacher unions met the FWSC?
The three unions are GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG.
What was the main purpose of the meeting?
The meeting focused on outstanding issues concerning the unions’ Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
Was a new Collective Agreement concluded?
No. The meeting did not conclude the negotiations. FWSC indicated that further consultations would take place before the negotiations resume.
Who chaired the FWSC meeting?
The meeting was chaired by Dr George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
Does the FWSC meeting mean the teacher strike has ended?
No. The engagement does not automatically end the industrial action. The government has appealed to the unions to suspend the strike, but the strike remains an ongoing matter pending the unions’ decision.
Conclusion
The October 6 engagement between the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Ghana’s three pre-tertiary teacher unions marks a further step in the formal process to address outstanding concerns over their Collective Agreement and conditions of service.
However, the discussions have not yet produced a concluded agreement. FWSC is expected to undertake further consultations before reconvening the negotiations with the unions.
The next phase will therefore be important in determining whether the parties can reach concrete agreements on the outstanding issues and create conditions for the resolution of the ongoing industrial dispute.
About the Author
Ferdinand Ellis is an education researcher, curriculum specialist, teacher and education policy analyst. He is the founder of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, which provides education news, research, policy analysis and educational resources.
Editorial Note
This report distinguishes between the October 6 engagement, the further consultations announced by FWSC, and the eventual conclusion of negotiations. The Collective Agreement should not be described as concluded until the relevant parties formally announce an agreement.
