The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has urged the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) to call off their strike, assuring them that government is committed to addressing their concerns.
Addressing the media after engaging the leadership of both associations, the Minister said progress had been made towards resolving the outstanding issues and asked the unions to return to the negotiating table.
He announced plans to direct the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to ensure that public universities reopen, in anticipation of the strike being called off by the weekend.
Hon. Iddrisu said the engagement with GAUA and TUTAG dealt with matters that remain outstanding. His appeal was that the associations consider calling off their action so that normal academic work can continue on university campuses across the country.
The associations are protesting what they describe as an unfair salary structure. They are demanding improved conditions of service and payment of outstanding salaries owed to lecturers on post-retirement contracts.
TUTAG’s grievances, as set out by its national leadership when it declared its indefinite strike on October 1, 2026, include changes to the agreed Scheme of Service and a GTEC directive on PhD requirements for career progression.
Government as Employer
The Minister was explicit about the limits of his role. He said the Minister for Education has no mandate for salary negotiations and is only facilitating on behalf of government.
He reminded the associations that government remains the employer of the entire membership of both GAUA and TUTAG. For that reason, he said, there should be no legitimate conflict between the two sides, and the parties should be able to resolve their differences through engagement.
Salary negotiations for public sector workers are handled by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), which has been the lead negotiator in the dispute with the pre-tertiary teacher unions.
Universities Delay Reopening
Mr. Iddrisu noted that the strike has disrupted the university calendar. The University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) had been due to reopen but announced postponements of their reopening dates.
KNUST had earlier said it was postponing the reopening of its 2026/2027 academic year indefinitely because of the strike, having scheduled it for Tuesday, October 13.
The Minister said he will direct GTEC to request all public universities to reopen in anticipation of GAUA’s return to work. He told the Commission it may receive his directive before the close of work on Tuesday.
Assurance to GAUA
Addressing the leadership of GAUA directly, Mr. Iddrisu promised that its concerns will be treated as a priority and encouraged the association to consult its members before taking a decision.
“President of GAUA, be assured that your legitimate concerns will receive the government’s priority attention. I encourage you to go back and engage with your constituency.”
Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
The Minister left the decision with the unions. It is for the leadership of GAUA and TUTAG, he said, to consult further with their members.
Timeline for Reopening
Hon. Iddrisu set out his timeline. He wants universities to reopen towards the weekend and no later than the weekend, so that academic work can start on Monday.
“My expectation is that the universities can reopen towards the weekend and not later than the weekend, so that academic work can begin on Monday and we do not lose the academic calendar to the strike.”
Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
The appeal follows an urgent meeting called by the Ministry of Education with GAUA and GTEC to seek an amicable resolution of the strike. It comes as the Takoradi Technical University chapter of TUTAG has said that its members will return to the classroom only after receiving a signed Memorandum of Understanding from the Ministry confirming agreements reached.
The pre-tertiary teacher unions suspended their own strike after negotiations with government and the FWSC, and the Ministry has since urged all parties to sustain the spirit of cooperation.
Attention now turns to the decisions of the GAUA and TUTAG leadership after consultations with their members. The Minister’s timetable depends on the strike being called off by the weekend, and on the directive to GTEC reaching public universities in time for them to reopen on Monday.
For students waiting at home and for universities that postponed reopening, the outcome will determine whether the academic calendar can be protected.
READ MORE: TUTAG Will Return to Classrooms Only After Receiving Signed MoU
