Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) to call off their ongoing strike, citing progress in negotiations and the government’s commitment to addressing their grievances.
The strike, which has disrupted activities at public universities, stems from concerns over an unfair salary structure, demands for improved conditions of service and outstanding salary payments owed to lecturers working under post-retirement contracts.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 12, the Minister said efforts were underway to resolve the issues and urged the unions to return to the negotiating table to facilitate an early resolution.
He stressed that ending the industrial action would help restore normal academic activities and enable the government and the unions to continue discussions towards a lasting settlement.
Iddrisu also disclosed plans to direct the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to ensure that public universities reopen, expressing hope that the strike would be called off by the weekend.
Addressing GAUA specifically, the Minister assured the association that its concerns would receive priority attention from the government. He encouraged its leadership to consult members and reconsider the continuation of the strike in light of the progress made.
“President of GAUA, be assured that your legitimate concerns will receive the government’s priority attention. I encourage you to go back and engage with your constituency. It is the desire of the government that the strike is called off,” he said.
The Minister’s appeal comes amid efforts to restore normal operations at public universities while addressing the labour and remuneration concerns raised by the affected unions.
The government is seeking an end to the strike through renewed engagement with the unions, with the proposed reopening of public universities dependent on a resolution of the industrial action.
