Accra, Ghana — October 7, 2026: The latest negotiations between Ghana’s pre-tertiary teacher unions and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) have ended without a final agreement, leaving teachers’ nationwide strike in force as both sides prepare to return to the negotiating table.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, brought together representatives of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), as part of efforts to resolve the issues behind the ongoing industrial action.
The discussions centred on outstanding arrears, particularly promotion-related payments, conditions of service and other demands raised by the teacher unions.
According to the Ghana News Agency, the meeting ended “inconclusively”, with both sides agreeing to reconvene on Wednesday, October 7, for further negotiations.
FWSC Chief Executive Officer Dr George Smith-Graham said the Commission remained committed to reaching an agreement that would allow teachers to return to the classroom.
“We want to make sure that we are able to conclude with the negotiations so that all of us parents will be happy to get our teachers back to the classroom.”
Dr Smith-Graham also indicated that the Commission was prepared to continue engaging the unions as frequently as necessary, expressing hope that the negotiations could be completed before the end of the week.
“We’ll continue engaging. If it means engaging every day, we will engage every day.”
Despite the renewed discussions, the teacher unions have made it clear that the strike has not been called off. NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba said the position of teachers remains unchanged while negotiations continue.
“This is to inform teachers that under the circumstance, the status quo remains.”
This means teachers are expected to remain on strike until the ongoing negotiations produce an outcome acceptable to the unions.
Promotion Arrears Remain a Major Issue
One of the major issues at the centre of the dispute is the payment of outstanding promotion arrears owed to teachers who have been promoted but have not received the corresponding financial benefits.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has repeatedly assured teachers that government intends to honour its commitment regarding the arrears. He has said government will ensure that promoted teachers are placed on their new grades and that outstanding payments are addressed.
“The government team makes a commitment to the teacher union and to all teachers that we will honour our commitment of the new grades for all promoted teachers on or before 30th October.”
Government has also been validating the records of thousands of affected teachers as part of the process for determining and processing the outstanding payments.
Arrears Alone May Not End the Strike
While the payment of promotion arrears remains important, the teacher unions have indicated that the dispute goes beyond arrears. Other issues include the negotiation of a new collective agreement and demands relating to allowances and conditions of service.
PRETAG President King Ali Awudu has stated that the payment of promotion arrears alone would not be sufficient to resolve all the issues behind the industrial action. The unions are also seeking concrete action on other outstanding commitments.
20% Deprived-Area Allowance
Another issue under discussion is the proposed 20 per cent allowance for teachers working in deprived areas. Government has previously indicated that a validation exercise would be undertaken to identify qualifying locations and teachers.
The Education Minister has explained that the proposed allowance would be location-specific, meaning eligibility could depend on the area where a teacher is posted rather than being a permanent benefit attached to the individual teacher.
What Happens Next?
The two sides are expected to resume negotiations on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The FWSC has expressed optimism that the discussions can be concluded within the week.
For now, however, there has been no announcement of an agreement that would bring the nationwide strike to an end. Teachers therefore remain on strike while negotiations continue.
The outcome of the next round of discussions will be closely watched by teachers, parents, students and education stakeholders across Ghana, particularly because the prolonged industrial action is affecting teaching and learning in public pre-tertiary schools.
Current Situation at a Glance
- October 6 meeting: Ended without a final agreement.
- Teacher unions: GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG remain on strike.
- Key issues: Promotion arrears, collective agreement, conditions of service and allowances.
- Next negotiations: Expected to continue on Wednesday, October 7.
- Government position: Continue negotiations and work towards resolving the outstanding concerns.
- Strike status: Ongoing until the unions reach an agreement with government.
As negotiations continue, the immediate focus is now on whether the government and teacher unions can reach a concrete agreement that addresses the outstanding demands and clears the way for teachers to return to the classroom.
