The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) to call off their ongoing industrial action to allow academic and administrative activities to resume across public universities.

The appeal follows a meeting between the government and the leadership of the two associations on Monday, October 12, as efforts intensify to resolve the dispute over salary disparities, allowances and conditions of service.

Mr Iddrisu expressed the government's desire for public universities to reopen before the end of the week, allowing academic work to resume on Monday, October 19, and preventing further disruption to the academic calendar.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). 

Minister Calls for Resumption of Academic Activities

The minister urged the leadership of both associations to consult their members and consider suspending the strike while negotiations with the government continue.

He said some of the concerns raised could be addressed immediately, including arrangements to extend retirement rollover provisions to eligible senior members of public universities.

Mr Iddrisu also indicated that progress had been made regarding outstanding research allowance payments, noting that the Minister of Finance had issued a warrant for payment.

He expressed optimism that the FWSC would address matters within its mandate in the coming days to facilitate a resolution of the dispute.

The minister stressed the need to protect the academic calendar and reduce the impact of the industrial action on students and university communities.

Salary Disparities and Allowances at the Centre of Dispute

The strike by university administrators stems largely from concerns about disparities in the Interim Market Premium (IMP) paid to teaching and non-teaching senior members of public universities.

GAUA has argued that the market premium for university administrators has not kept pace with that paid to teaching staff, despite an earlier arbitration award establishing parity.

Other concerns include outstanding research allowances, job evaluation, staff placement, retirement arrangements and broader conditions of service.

The industrial action has disrupted administrative operations at several public universities, affecting activities such as admissions, registration and accommodation allocation.

The University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have postponed their scheduled reopening dates amid the continuing dispute. 

GAUA to Consult Members Before Decision

Despite the minister's appeal, GAUA has indicated that its leadership cannot unilaterally suspend the strike without consulting its membership.

The association is expected to communicate its position after consultations with members following the latest discussions with the government.

The development means the strike remains in force unless and until the unions formally announce a suspension or call-off.

The government is hopeful that the latest engagements will lead to an agreement that addresses the associations' concerns and restores normal operations on university campuses.

Students Await Resolution

The prolonged industrial action has raised concerns about disruptions to the 2026/2027 academic year, particularly for students awaiting the reopening of their institutions.

A resumption of academic and administrative activities would provide relief to students, parents, university management and other stakeholders affected by the impasse.

However, the proposed reopening timeline depends on the outcome of consultations within the unions and progress in resolving the outstanding issues.

For now, the Education Minister's appeal represents a renewed effort to end the dispute, but a final decision rests with the associations and their members.

Photo courtesy: Hon. Haruna Iddrisu