The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi has announced that continuing students are to report to campus on October 16, with lectures scheduled to begin on October 19, despite the ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).

The announcement comes after the university initially announced an indefinite postponement of the reopening of the 2026/2027 academic year on October 9, citing the impact of the GAUA strike on its operations and administration.

The university had previously scheduled the reopening for October 13.

However, on Thursday, October 16, Accra-based Citi News reported that KNUST had begun admitting freshers at its various halls of residence, with parents and students seen going through hall registration processes.

Speaking to the media, the University Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, explained that freshers would be welcomed to the university on October 15 and 16, while continuing students were expected to report on October 17.

He said the university had deployed skeletal staff to attend to students and parents despite the ongoing industrial action.

“Going around the campus, I think you would have seen that parents are coming, students are coming, and we have skeletal staff who are attending to the parents and the students, particularly the freshmen and women. So far, everything seems to be going well, and so we are hoping that it will continue like that,” he said.

Lectures are scheduled to begin on October 19.

The first semester will run from October 2026 to February 2027, while the second semester is scheduled for March to June 2027. The 2027/2028 academic year is expected to begin in September 2027.

Why is GAUA on strike?

The GAUA strike stems from long-standing grievances over allowances, market premium disparities, conditions of service and retirement-related benefits.

Although the government has opened negotiations, offered some immediate concessions and referred salary concerns to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the association says its major concerns remain unresolved, prompting the continuation of the industrial action.