GAUA resumes strike

The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has resumed its indefinite industrial action and withdraw its services in all 15 public universities over unpaid outstanding allowances despite previous agreement. 

The Association in a release issued and signed by its National President, Michael Owusu Ansah and General Secretary, Austine Amissare today (September 18, 2024) following an emergency Executive Council Meeting stated that, it would continue the industrial until all outstanding payments are made and issues resolved.

“GAUA at its Emergency National Executive Committee Meeting resolved to reactivate its previously suspended industrial action with the withdrawal of administrative and professional services with effect from September 18, 2024 until all outstanding payments are made, and issues are completely resolved,” it stated. 

Concerns

GAUA in its release argued that the strike stemmed from the delay in implementation of negotiated conditions of service provisions, although “an agreement has been reached with the government since July 2024, a letter of approval for the full implementation of the negotiated conditions of service is yet to be issued by the Ministry of Finance”. Adding that, all attempts to get the government and its relevant agencies to get this done have not yielded the desired results. 

It also noted that despite reaching an agreement in principle with the government for the payment of Non-Payment of Online Teaching Support Allowances (OTSA) to eligible staff, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has continued to impede its way, thereby making it impossible for the parties to conclude negotiations for payment. 

GAUA added as part of its reason, the non-adherence to memorandum of agreement signed with Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) with June 30 this year as the deadline remains unattended to, despite several reminders sent to GTEC. 

The Association, therefore, called for an immediate conclusion of negotiations for the payment of the OTSA and demands that outstanding issues in the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed with GTEC be addressed forthwith.

Background and Impact

The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) embarked on a strike action in January 2024 over conditions of service concerns. 

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed with the government, represented by the GTEC, and witnessed by the Minister of Education, resulting in GAUA suspending its strike action which has now been reactivated. 

It argued that government and its agencies have reneged on their promises; and despite GAUA's several attempts to remind them to keep to the letter and spirit of the MOA signed, none of these have been heeded. 

The withdrawal of services by GAUA would mean a delay in the admission and commencement of academic works in at all 15 public universities across the country, as essential services such providing counsel to students on their student and academic life within university guidelines, managing schedules, meetings, and calendars across departments to ensure operational efficiency, coordinating admission in various faculties will be absent.

The industrial action could impede resumption of academic work in the public universities across the country who are expected to resume later this month and early next month to commence new semesters.