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Dr. George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), has criticized the leaders of the Senior Staff Association of the University of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of University Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU-TUC) for calling on their members to engage in an unjustified strike.
In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, which was monitored by Ghanatodayonline.com, Dr. Smith-Graham commented on the indefinite strike initiated by members of SSA-UoG, FUSSAG, and TEWU-TUC on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. He stated clearly that overtime work under the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) has never been mandatory and was mainly intended for junior staff.
He stated that senior employees are, according to policy, eligible for a “call-in allowance” instead of overtime compensation.
Dr. Smith-Graham additionally contended that the strike, which has interrupted academic activities at public universities, is unjustified, emphasizing that staff are reluctant to carry out their normal eight-hour work shifts due to disputes over overtime pay.
The FWSC CEO firmly asserted that his organization has not changed any service conditions as claimed by the striking unions, labeling their assertions as baseless
“The Single Spine Pay Policy started in 2010, when we introduced unified conditions of service, including what we refer to as category two and three allowances. Under these allowances, there is overtime and call-in. Overtime is meant for junior staff, while senior staff receive call-in allowance. So, it cannot be said that we have varied conditions of service. This has existed since 2010,” he stressed.
Dr. Smith-Graham further stressed that overtime work is not mandatory and must be determined by management, not imposed by staff.
“Overtime is not compulsory, so I am surprised they say they are on strike because they want to do overtime. You cannot force yourself to do overtime on any management. Overtime has to be determined by a superior officer. What is even more concerning is that they are on strike and therefore not working the eight hours they are paid for. I am surprised university management has allowed the strike to continue,” he stated.
Dr. Smith-Graham, however, insisted that the Commission has operated entirely within the parameters of the 2010 policy and encouraged university leadership to ensure staff return to their jobs. He cautioned that extending the strike due to what he called a misunderstanding of policy could lead to additional disruptions in education and public service provision.
The FWSC CEO additionally condemned university management for permitting staff to persist with their ongoing strike, asserting that the industrial action lacks justification.
The Senior Staff Association at the University of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of University Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU-TUC) commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
The unions claim that the FWSC has substituted overtime pay with a call-in allowance, violating a 2021 agreement, an action they believe compromises employee rights.
They are also requesting the payment of unpaid salaries owed to employees of recently upgraded universities, along with five months of unpaid Tier Two pension contributions.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
