The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) says it is prepared to engage pre-tertiary teacher unions over outstanding conditions of service but wants them to await the establishment of the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission.

The Commission says the planned transition to the new body means it will not undertake a comprehensive review of public sector conditions of service this year.

However, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) have rejected the call to wait, insisting that allowances already agreed with government must be implemented.

The unions are demanding the payment of a 20% deprived-area allowance, digital allowance and professional development allowance.

Speaking on the issue, FWSC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Smith Graham, said the Commission had already met the unions twice to discuss their concerns.

He explained that the Commission was currently dealing with specific outstanding allowances as part of the transition process rather than conducting a full review of conditions of service.

“We have already engaged them twice and this year, because of the transition, we are not doing a holistic review of any conditions of service,” he said.

Dr Graham urged the unions to exercise patience until the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission takes over responsibility for public sector remuneration matters.

However, NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, said teachers could not suspend their demands indefinitely while waiting for a commission that is yet to be established.

He maintained that the unions were not asking for new benefits but seeking the implementation of commitments already reached with government.

“We need to have our conditions of service implemented now,” he said, pointing specifically to the deprived-area, digital and professional development allowances.

GNAT General Secretary, Thomas Tanko Musah, also warned that government risks industrial unrest if the outstanding issues are not resolved.

He said the unions’ September 7, 2026 deadline remains in place and urged government to use the available time to reach an agreement.

According to Mr Musah, the existence of plans to establish a new emoluments commission should not prevent the implementation of conditions of service that have already been negotiated and agreed.

The unions have therefore maintained their threat to embark on industrial action from September 7 if concrete measures are not taken to address their concerns.

The standoff now puts pressure on government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to resolve the outstanding issues before the deadline and avert disruption to pre-tertiary education.