The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has intensified its call on the government to urgently address the concerns of striking university unions.

The ongoing industrial action, which has now entered its third week, involves several key unions, including the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), and the Federation of University Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG).

The strike, which began on Monday, September 16, 2024, stems from unresolved issues related to the failure of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) to implement approved vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances, despite the Ministry of Finance granting approval in August 2024.

UTAG National President, Dr. Mamudu Akudugu, expressed concern over the disruption the strike is causing to the academic calendar, which had already been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Dr. Akudugu called on the government to expedite efforts to resolve the ongoing issues.

“It is a bad situation because COVID-19 somehow disrupted the academic calendar and we had to work so hard to readjust,” Dr. Akudugu said. He further urged the government to “find ways of resolving whatever the issues are so that our colleagues can be assured and then come back to continue their work.”

The University of Ghana has postponed the start of the 2024/2025 academic year due to the strike, with a new date yet to be communicated.

The university’s management is actively working to resolve the disputes with the unions, which are advocating for improved working conditions and the implementation of agreed-upon benefits, such as delayed pension contributions and vehicle maintenance allowances.

While the strike continues, the University of Ghana has assured students that special programmes will proceed as scheduled. However, the general commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year remains postponed until the labour disputes are resolved.

Adding to the tension, the Tertiary and Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) announced a nationwide strike on Friday, September 27, 2024, withdrawing all services. This action is in response to what TUSAAG describes as the government's failure to honor its obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and implement revised allowances for senior staff members at public universities.

The unions' grievances highlight longstanding concerns about the working conditions of staff in tertiary institutions, with demands ranging from improved allowances to the reinstatement of suspended benefits. As the strike enters its third week, all eyes are on the government to see if a resolution can be reached to end the impasse and restore normalcy to the affected universities.