Teachers participating in the ongoing nationwide strike could face salary deductions if the industrial action is deemed illegal and continues beyond the government’s expected deadline for resolving the dispute.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr George Smith-Graham, said workers who participate in an illegal strike could forfeit their remuneration for every day they remain away from work.

“If you go on an illegal strike, once it is illegal, every day you stay home, your salary will be deducted. That is what is supposed to be done, just that here in Ghana we are a bit flexible,” he said.

Speaking on Ghana Akoma on Akoma FM, Dr Smith-Graham said the government was hopeful of reaching an agreement with the teacher unions before Friday, October 9, to prevent the dispute from escalating.

He indicated that if the strike remained in force by October 15, the government could be compelled to take steps regarding salaries for the period teachers had stayed away from work.

“We hope to resolve the matter before Friday to avoid all these issues and possible outcomes,” he said.

The nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions began on September 25, 2026, over outstanding promotion arrears, salary placement and other conditions of service.

The unions have maintained the strike, insisting that they will remain off the job until concrete action is taken to address their concerns rather than relying on government assurances.

Negotiations between the unions and the FWSC continued on Tuesday, October 6, but ended without a final agreement.

Under Ghana’s Labour Act, a worker who participates in an illegal strike may forfeit remuneration for the period of the illegal strike. An employer may also terminate the worker’s services without notice for breach of contract.

Dr Smith-Graham said the government remained hopeful that the ongoing discussions would produce a resolution before the situation reaches the point where further action becomes necessary.