Administrative Works At Universities Grinding To Halt  

Academic and administrative works at some public universities in the country, are grinding to a halt, due to a nationwide indefinite strike by University Administrative Unions.

Reports indicate universities are unable to process salaries and allowances, with many forced to postpone reopening dates and PhD oral exams indefinitely, as the strike by four labour unions, enters its second week.

In the Greater Accra, authorities at the University of Ghana, Legon, were forced to postpone indefinitely the reopening date for the 2024/2025 academic year.

While in the Central Region, the University of Education (UEW), Winneba, also followed their counterparts with temporary suspension of administrative works.

The situation was not different at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) in Kumasi.

In the case of University of Ghana, the school, was expected to reopen tomorrow September 26, while academic work, was expected to commence next week Tuesday, October 1.

The University in a statement issued by the Office of the Registrar on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, announced the postponement. The statement informed the thousands of students and stakeholders of the decision.

While the strike continues, the university clarified that special programmes, will proceed as planned.

However, a new start date for the general academic year will be communicated once the situation stabilizes.

“It is announced for the attention of students and other stakeholders that the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year has been postponed. This is due to the ongoing strike action by various employee groupings. Special programmes will, however, proceed as scheduled. A new date for the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year will be announced in due course.”

This development is part of a broader wave of industrial strikes sweeping across Ghana, with several unions expressing dissatisfaction over working conditions, unresolved pension deductions, and unfulfilled government promises.

Five unions are already on strike, including the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, which halted work on September 16, 2024.

The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) joined the strike on 20 September, citing delays in the payment of vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances, as well as issues surrounding Tier Two pension deductions.

Other unions that have taken similar action are, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), all of which have been on strike since mid-September, demanding improved working conditions and the fulfilment of past agreements with the government.

Source: Anchorghana.com