Technical University Administrators demand payment before returning to work

The Technical University Senior Administrators’ Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) says it will not suspend its indefinite strike based on government promises alone, insisting that only payment of outstanding obligations will convince members to return to work.

The Association’s National President, Stanley Akamiri Abopaam, said previous assurances from government failed to resolve their concerns, making members cautious about accepting fresh commitments.

Speaking on A1 Radio monitored by BolgaFM, he said TUSAAG had demonstrated patience by allowing the government multiple opportunities to address the issues.

“When you enter negotiations, you make concessions. But once you reach a binding agreement, nobody should unilaterally vary it without consequences,” he said.

The major issues behind the strike include demands for a one-time research allowance and disagreement over the implementation date of revised conditions of service.

Mr Abopaam explained that TUSAAG had negotiated a 40% increase in combined allowances under an interim arrangement after government indicated that full conditions of service negotiations would be delayed due to reforms at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

The agreement was signed in April and was expected to take effect from April 1.

However, he said the Ministry of Finance later directed implementation from July without consulting the Association.

“That was a breach of the agreement because there was no engagement or explanation,” he stated.

He said if government had engaged the Association before changing the implementation timeline, members might have considered the situation differently.

Mr Abopaam added that the National Labour Commission had intervened by directing the Education Ministry to address the concerns, but TUSAAG was yet to receive any official response.

Asked whether assurances from government would be enough to end the strike, he said such commitments would have to be convincing.

“The condition precedent to call off the strike is payment of the money,” he stressed.

He also cautioned politicians and policymakers against undermining the role of university administrators, arguing that their work is essential to maintaining quality tertiary education.

According to him, the future of Ghana’s technical universities depends on recognising the contributions of all categories of workers.

“For universities to succeed, every stakeholder must feel valued. You cannot build a strong system by ignoring a group that keeps the system running,” he said.

Source: bolgafmonline.com|102.7 MHz| Bolgatanga