The Technical University Senior Administrators’ Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) says it will not suspend its indefinite strike based on government promises alone, insisting that only the payment of outstanding obligations will convince members to return to work.
The Association’s National President, Stanley Akamiri Abopaam, said previous assurances from the government failed to resolve the Association’s concerns, making members cautious about accepting fresh commitments.
Speaking on A1 Radio, he said TUSAAG had demonstrated patience by giving the government multiple opportunities to address the issues.
“When you enter negotiations, you make concessions. But once you reach a binding agreement, nobody should unilaterally vary it without consequences,” he said.
The major issues behind the strike include demands for a one-time research allowance and disagreement over the implementation date of revised conditions of service.
Mr. Abopaam explained that TUSAAG had negotiated a 40% increase in combined allowances under an interim arrangement after the government indicated that negotiations on the full conditions of service would be delayed because of reforms at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
The agreement was signed in April and was expected to take effect on April 1.
However, he said the Ministry of Finance later directed that implementation should begin in July without consulting the Association.
“That was a breach of the agreement because there was no engagement or explanation,” he said.
He said that if the government had engaged the Association before changing the implementation timeline, members might have viewed the situation differently.
Mr. Abopaam added that the National Labour Commission had intervened by directing the Ministry of Education to address the concerns, but TUSAAG had yet to receive an official response.
Asked whether assurances from the government would be enough to end the strike, he said they would not.
“The condition precedent to calling off the strike is payment of the money,” he stressed.
He also cautioned politicians and policymakers against undermining the role of university administrators, arguing that their work is essential to maintaining quality tertiary education.
According to him, the future of Ghana’s technical universities depends on recognising the contributions of all categories of workers.
“For universities to succeed, every stakeholder must feel valued. You cannot build a strong system by ignoring a group that keeps the system running,” he said.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
