The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Dr. George Smith-Graham, has proposed a shift in the negotiation cycle for conditions of service from the current two years to every three years.
He believes this adjustment would help ease fiscal pressures, give the government more room to plan, and promote stability in the management of public sector wages.
Dr. Smith-Graham suggested this on Wednesday, August 27, 2025,at the 50th Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) Delegates Congress in Accra.
“We must strike a balance between meeting the needs of workers and ensuring fiscal sustainability. A three-year cycle will give the government the necessary space to plan and budget effectively,” he stated.
Commitment to Technical Education
The Congress, which attracted delegates from all technical universities nationwide, was held on the theme:
“Sustainable Skills for a Sustainable Future: Aligning Technical Education with National and Global Development Goals.”
Dr. Smith-Graham stressed the critical role of technical education in Ghana’s development, calling for policies that align training with market needs and compensation frameworks. He identified skills mismatch and graduate unemployment as major challenges, urging stronger industry-academic partnerships to co-finance research, allowances, and professional development.
Minister’s Call for Innovation
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in a speech delivered on his behalf, also called for a re-examination of current technical education programs to ensure their practicality and relevance to market demands.
He highlighted the transformative potential of technology in areas such as agriculture, safety, and waste management,urging universities to strengthen research, innovation, and digital literacy.
Despite Ghana’s economic challenges, the Minister expressed optimism that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement could drive progress in technical education and technological development.
TUTAG’s Call to Action
National President of TUTAG, Prof. Uriah Stonewell Tetteh, urged academic unions to unite in tackling the challenges facing technical universities.
He emphasised the need for technical universities to stay relevant by adapting to evolving labour market demands and technological changes.
Prof. Tetteh described the Congress as a call to action, encouraging delegates to work collectively towards building a globally competitive and sustainable technical education system.
He expressed gratitude to the management of the host university and rallied support for ongoing efforts to strengthen technical education across the country.
By Peter Quao Adattor
