The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has hinted that the government may take additional steps if teachers do not end their strike by Friday, October 9.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 7, Dr Smith Graham noted that both parties had signed documents intended to bring the strike to an end, adding that any decision by the teachers to continue the industrial action would call for a stricter action by the government.

"Both parties have signed documents that should bring the strike to an end. You cannot remain on strike while we are still at the negotiation table," he said.

Wednesday, October 7, marks the 12th day since the pre-tertiary unions, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), declared a nationwide strike on September 25, 2026.The unions are demanding payment of outstanding promotion arrears and salary adjustments for promoted teachers, progress on negotiations for a new collective agreement and conditions of service, as well as the implementation of the 20% deprived-area allowance.A crunch meeting held on Tuesday, October 5, between the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the teacher unions ended without an agreement.The parties are expected to reconvene on Wednesday, October 7, as government continues efforts to address the concerns that triggered the industrial action.Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s meeting, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musa, urged teachers to remain resolute as the unions await concrete timelines from government.The unions want clear timelines for the completion of the outstanding processes and payment of the financial obligations owed to affected teachers.The strike has disrupted teaching and learning in public pre-tertiary schools across the country, with the unions insisting that concrete commitments are needed before they will consider calling off the action.Government, however, says it remains committed to resolving the concerns and has continued engagements with the unions through the FWSC and GES.Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has also appealed to the striking teachers to return to the classroom, assuring them that the government is working towards an amicable resolution of the issues.He previously announced that the 20% deprived-area allowance would be paid after the validation of teachers eligible for the allowance is completed.