The President of the University Teachers Association, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, UTAG–KNUST Chapter, Professor Eric K.K. Abavare, has declared that university lecturers will not rescind their decision to strike on 30 June 2026 unless all outstanding welfare concerns are addressed.
This ultimatum follows a National Executive Council meeting on 18 June at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, where the association reviewed the government’s continued delays in resolving conditions of service.
UTAG argues that these delays undermine confidence in the collective bargaining process and can no longer be tolerated.
Professor Abavare stated that quiet attempts to resolve the matter have been consistently ignored, suggesting the government has mistaken the lecturers’ patience for weakness.
Despite past sacrifices to restore the regular academic calendar after pandemic-related disruptions, the association feels its goodwill has been taken for granted.
Consequently, the public has been urged to pressure the Minister of Finance to act before the deadline rather than blaming the academic staff when operations cease.
He warned that if the government fails to respond, the industrial action will halt all academic work, including the supervision of final-year student projects.
The primary grievance stems from the government’s refusal to sign the concluded Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, which was designed to provide temporary financial relief ahead of a comprehensive salary review in January 2027.
This dispute is compounded by other unresolved issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, delayed 2026 Book and Research Allowances, and outstanding grievances regarding post-retirement contracts.
“The government has not demonstrated good faith. As lecturers we have done our very best but the government has failed in fulfilling its obligation. Pyramid academic calendar was disrupted due to the Covid-19 outbreak and we have done our best in ensuring that we restore the regular structure. We have also made other sacrifices but our efforts have not been recognised. Our concern is that government has failed to sign the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, despite negotiations having been concluded and agreed upon by all parties. The interim arrangement is intended to provide temporary financial relief for academic staff while awaiting a comprehensive salary review by the Independent Emoluments Commission, which is expected to take effect in January 2027. However the government has to refused to act.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana