The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has directed its members to suspend teaching and other related activities from Friday, October 8, 2021.
Contained in a statement, the Association revealed that its decision follows the government, being the “Employer’s” failure to meet demands made by the lecturers concerning their conditions of service.
“Following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, with the employer to complete negotiations on the conditions of service of University Teachers within one month, by resolving all outstanding issues… it is sad to report that the one-month moratorium has elapsed and the negotiation has almost reached a stalemate”.
The statement signed by the new National President of the Association, Professor Samuel Nunoo, explained that government has remained adamant on its position despite the Association shifting its position on a number of occassions.
“For this reason, the National Executive Committee of UTAG at its meeting held on 1st October, 2021, resolved that members should resume the suspension of teaching and related activities until further notice.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) embarked on a strike from August 2, 2021 to protest what they suggest is their poor conditions of service.
Following some weeks into the strike, UTAG reached an agreement with government to suspend its strike action and resumed negotiation for a mandatory 30 days, with the hope that its concerns wouldbe addressed.
However, following the expiration of the mandatory 30 days negotiation, UTAG is directing members to suspend all teaching related activities on campus.
Prior to this, the Association’s University of Ghana branch Secretary, Professor Ransford Gyampo, had written on the situation in an open letter to President Akufo-Addo and the Vice President, revealing that lecturers on the various University campuses were angry about the lack of progress in the negotiation.
Letter addressed to President Akufo-Addo
According to Professor Gyampo, the situation has generated considerable disquiet among lecturers who are angry about the lack of progress.
“As you may be aware, some of us have deliberately been quiet about what has been happening following UTAG’s decision to temporarily suspend its strike and return to the negotiations table. We believe the stakeholders needed some peace of mind to talk.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
Prof Gyampo reminded government on the expiration of the one month negotiating window. He expressed that unfortunately, “nothing concrete has been achieved”.
“As you may be aware, some of us had to practically beg our members to agree to suspend the strike action for negotiations because, we knew that you were both worried about the impasse and were very much resolved to bring a finality to the matter.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
Furthermore, he revealed that the finance minister had failed to attend any of the meetings convened. Prof Gyampo explained that the finance minister was however “delegating”. He therefore explained the reason for the minister’s delegation could be “because he sees UTAG matters as trivial”.
“He may continue to treat us like rags, but when there is mobilization of the anger of University Teachers in a manner that creates a praetorian situation, the bucks would stop with you in dealing with the mess.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
