The University Teachers Association of Ghana, UTAG, is threatening a total shutdown of all public universities by June 30, 2026, if the government fails to address long-standing welfare and condition-of-service agreements.
The lecturers are demanding the immediate implementation of interim salary adjustments, the payment of promotion arrears dating back to 2022, and the resolution of staff regularization challenges.
Speaking on the Atlantic Wave Issues Segment, Monday morning, the President of the UTAG, University of Cape Coast Branch, Dr. Jerry Opoku Ansah, revealed that despite clear directives from the National Labor Commission, (NLC) the Ministry of Finance continues to drag its feet on releasing vital financial warrants.
According to Dr. Opoku Ansah, the union has completely exhausted all diplomatic avenues and dialogue.
“We have exhausted all our dialogue in terms of the promotion areas and the issues. Since the Labor Commission that is mandated to resolve labor issues has directed and the government and its agencies did not respond, we think that we should take action to drive home this area,” he said.
Meanwhile, tension is already mounting across major university campuses, with several branches preparing to ratify the industrial action.
Dr. Opoku Ansah disclosed that members at UCC, the University of Ghana, and KNUST have already voted overwhelmingly in a referendum, giving leadership the absolute mandate to strike.
He added that “within five working days, all other branches that have not taken such steps to consult our members because per our constitution, any industrial action should be mandated by our individual members. And so, we hope that by within five working days, this will be done.”
While acknowledging that a shutdown will severely disrupt the academic calendar and impact students, UTAG insists that the government must demonstrate genuine good faith by delivering concrete results rather than making empty promises before the June 30 deadline.
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