The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) has officially announced an indefinite strike following a prolonged dispute over union representation on governing councils of Ghana’s traditional public universities.
The union, which maintains it holds the majority membership among workers in these institutions, accused government authorities of bypassing due process and favouring a minority union, TEWU-TUC.
In a strongly worded press release, TEWU-GH emphasized that the decision to initiate the strike comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued on June 24, 2025.
“This [strike] action is necessitated by the failure of the relevant authorities to address our longstanding demands and uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and democracy in the governance of tertiary education institutions.”
The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH)
Accordingly, the ultimatum demanded a response to what the union describes as the “egregious and unjustifiable decision” to recognize TEWU-TUC as the representative body on university councils.
TEWU-GH insisted that this move undermines the democratic rights of its members and fails to respect the union’s majority standing across the affected institutions.
The union argued that the lack of action or meaningful dialogue from the relevant ministries, particularly the Ministries of Labour, Jobs and Employment, and Education, has left them with no option but to escalate the matter.
According to TEWU-GH, the strike aims to press home several non-negotiable demands. Chief among these is the “immediate and unconditional withdrawal” of TEWU-TUC’s appointment to the councils.
The union views the appointment as a blatant disregard for democratic values and the rights of the majority.
TEWU Urges Transparent Verification Process Amid Strike Action
At the heart of the dispute lies TEWU-GH’s demand for a transparent and legal process to determine union representation.
As such, the union urged the Labour Minister and the Education Minister to mandate the Chief Labour Officer to verify the memberships of both TEWU-GH and TEWU-TUC, in line with the Labour Regulations 2007, L.I. 1833.
Such a verification exercise, according to TEWU-GH, would ensure that the union with the true majority is rightfully granted representation on university governing councils.
This, the union believes, is a necessary step toward ensuring fairness and industrial harmony within the tertiary education sector.
The union also called for the institutionalization of a democratic and transparent system for resolving future representation disputes.
TEWU-GH maintained that only a process that respects the voice of the majority can bring stability to governance structures in the educational sector.
In its release, TEWU-GH reaffirmed its dedication to defending the rights of its members.
“We will continue to engage with the relevant authorities in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to this matter. However, we will not compromise on our demands or back down in the face of adversity.”
The Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH)
The union also extended a call for solidarity, inviting other labour unions, stakeholders, and concerned citizens to support its cause. It emphasized that only collective support can help safeguard workers’ rights and foster a peaceful working environment within the universities.
In line with provisions under the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and its own constitution, TEWU-GH officially declared the strike effective Thursday, July 3, 2025.
The statement added that all union members are expected to comply fully with the strike directives and participate actively.
TEWU-GH’s strike is expected to have a significant impact on operations across Ghana’s traditional public universities, as its members play critical roles in the administration and management of these institutions.
The duration of the strike remains open-ended and will depend entirely on the government’s response to the union’s demands.
Observers note that the unfolding situation could disrupt academic and administrative activities if not resolved swiftly. Calls for mediation and dialogue are mounting as the nation watches how the government will address this growing industrial standoff.
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