The Ghana Association of Universities Administrators (GAUA) has reaffirmed its decision to continue its nationwide strike, stating that no agreement has been reached with the government regarding their demands.
The strike, which has disrupted activities at various universities across the country, reflects the frustrations of the administrators over unresolved issues with the government concerning their working conditions and benefits.
After two days of negotiations between the unions and government representatives, Kwesi Kwarteng, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, announced that the government had met all the demands put forth by the unions.
His comments suggested that progress had been made in addressing the concerns of the striking groups, raising hopes for a resolution to the ongoing strike.
However, the National President of GAUA, Michael Owusu Ansah has refuted the claims made by Mr Kwarteng, emphasising that his Association does not consider the negotiations successful.
According to Mr Ansah, the lack of a formal agreement means that the strike will persist until satisfactory resolutions are reached that adequately address the concerns of university administrators.
“We didn’t find our concerns reflected in the Memorandum of Agreement that the Ministry wanted us to sign. So we were unable to sign it. So effectively negotiations with the government team have broken down and once negotiations break down it means that we have to move to the next level.”
University administrators throughout Ghana restarted a nationwide strike on September 19, impacting the operations of public universities, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The strike, initiated by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), had previously been suspended after negotiations with the government.
However, administrators have now resumed the strike, citing unmet agreements and frustration with the government’s response.
In an earlier statement, GAUA explained that the strike was prompted by delays in implementing the negotiated conditions of service provisions.
Although an agreement with the government was reached in July 2024, the Ministry of Finance has yet to issue a letter of approval for the full implementation of these conditions.
The Association further expressed frustration, stating that all attempts to engage the government and relevant agencies on this matter have not produced the desired results.
Additionally, GAUA noted that even though an agreement in principle had been established with the government regarding the payment of Non-Payment of Online Teaching Support Allowances (OTSA) to eligible staff, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has continued to obstruct the process, preventing the parties from finalizing negotiations for payment.
Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
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