President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, Legon, Dr Samuel Nkumbaan, has disclosed that the Association is prepared to resolve outstanding issues with government from August 23, 2021.
According to him, the decision was based on meetings held between the Association, Ministry of Education and deputy minister of Employment and Labour Relations.
Mr Nkumbaan revealed that they have already agreed with the government on the timeframe to execute the agreement.
He also explained that per the agreement, UTAG has a responsibility to get back to the negotiating table and call of the strike.
So, if all of these things happen, then UTAG of course, will also have to show the goodwill. The reality is that even by law, we cannot be on strike whiles we are negotiating.
“UTAG’s position is that, we cannot be in court whiles we are on the negotiating table. It was the case that government had the responsibility through National Labour Commission to see to it that at least the court processes against UTAG are withdrawn or discontinued.
“Thereafter, we also had agreed on a roadmap within a one-month period to conclude negotiations on outstanding issues. So, if these are done, UTAG also has a responsibility to begin some initiative towards suspension of our action… By way of the roadmap, we’ve given ourselves within one month, effective 23rd of this month to try and resolve all outstanding matters regarding our conditions of service”.
Samuel Nkumbaan
Roadmap to resolving strike impasse
Justifying the strike action, Mr Nkumbaan insisted that government took his members for granted at the initial stage of negotiations. This, he indicated, expedited the Association’s actions in urging its members to lay down their tools.
To rectify the situation, Mr Nkumbaan noted that the Association has outlined some guidelines in helping them achieve their objectives.
“We have gotten to this point because of the way government treated us by virtue of either not showing up for some of the meetings or they bring people who do not have the gravitas to be able to engage us effectively and make commitments that are binding on government.
“In the roadmap we have indicated clearly that these are the things we do not expect to see in the one month we’ve given ourselves to engage. We expect that if they call us for a meeting, every stakeholder will be represented. And they will send people who have the capacity to make commitments that are binding on government.
“If we all exhibit this good faith, the hope is that within the next one month we should have cleared all of these hurdles and be back to our usual activities”.
Samuel Nkumbaan
UTAG demands commitment from government
Moreover, Mr Nkumbaan revealed that the Association has reposed confidence in government to fulfil their end of the bargain.
“That is what led us to this point where we have had to withdraw teaching and related services. So, we are having confidence in the minister of education and deputy minister for employment and labour relations. They give us a sense that, that will not happen again. And we are hoping that indeed they will go by what they have indicated to us. For which reason we signed the memorandum of understanding”.
Samuel Nkumbaan
He further highlighted the fact that failure on the part of government to stick to their story will warrant an action from them.
“So, if they come back to the table with the same attitude… if they continue to treat us the way they treated us leading us to this point, then of course, it is to be expected that we resume the action of withdrawal of teaching arrangement.
“What we indicated basically was that the leaders should have persons who have the gravitas… There is no specific mention of individuals but they understand on the side of government, [and] the stakeholders who are involved”.
Samuel Nkumbaan
Read Also: MSMES to receive affordable loans from DBG
