 has announced an indefinite nationwide industrial strike citing what it describes as a “blatant breach of agreement” by the government over unpaid research allowances.){kind=link}
The Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) has announced an indefinite nationwide industrial strike citing what it describes as a “blatant breach of agreement” by the government over unpaid research allowances.
The move, which will result in a complete withdrawal of administrative services across all 10 technical universities, is expected to immediately disrupt key academic and operational activities, including admissions, examinations, finance, and human resource management.
At the heart of the dispute is the government’s failure to pay a negotiated One-Time Research Allowance, which has been outstanding for nearly 17 months. The allowance, agreed upon on July 10, 2024, is central to the career progression of senior administrators, offsetting the cost of research and publication required for promotions within the technical university structure.
TUSAAG insists the allowance is not a discretionary benefit but a contractual obligation the government has continuously failed to honour.
“This continued non-payment constitutes a blatant breach of agreement and shows a lack of respect for the essential contributions of administrators to tertiary education in Ghana,” the Association said.
With the strike taking immediate effect, universities including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Ho, Sunyani, Koforidua, and Tamale Technical Universities will face what sector observers describe as an administrative paralysis.
Key areas to be affected include:
• Finance Departments: Delay in salary and stipend payments, and the suspension of operational fund releases.
• Admissions and Registry: Halt in application processing and updating of student records.
• Examinations Units: Disruption of exam organization and expected delays in the release of results.
• Human Resources: Suspension of staff recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary procedures.
The impact is expected to be immediate and far-reaching, potentially throwing the academic calendar for thousands of students into disarray.
TUSAAG stressed that the decision to strike was taken only after months of unproductive engagement with key government agencies. Attempts to secure commitments from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) reportedly yielded no concrete assurances.
According to the Association, repeated efforts to meet with the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, have also been unsuccessful, with letters and requests for dialogue allegedly going unanswered or deferred.
Despite the ferocity of the industrial action, TUSAAG maintains it remains open to constructive engagement if the government demonstrates sincerity and urgency.
“The strike is aimed at compelling the attention and action that previous appeals have failed to secure,” the Association said, adding that its goal is a lasting resolution rather than prolonged disruption.
With the strike set to begin in less than 48 hours, students, staff, and academic stakeholders are bracing for what may become one of the most disruptive administrative shutdowns in Ghana’s tertiary education sector in recent years.