The Ghana Education Ministry (GEM) has issued a formal call for a temporary suspension of the strike by university administrators, demanding a one-month period to address outstanding payment concerns for non-teaching senior staff within public universities. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) on Monday, August 17, Minister Haruna Iddrisu stated the government’s commitment to resolving the issues that triggered the strike. The Minister emphasized that the Ministry is dedicated to addressing the concerns that prompted the strike, and the immediate resolution is crucial for the resumption of academic activities across the nation.
Mr. Iddrisu detailed the situation, highlighting a significant issue – the unpaid one-time research allowance owed to non-teaching senior staff of public universities. The Ministry directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to submit beneficiary data by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18th, to facilitate the validation process and begin the payment procedure. According to the Minister, the Finance Ministry, led by Deputy Minister Thomas Ampem, requires validated and audited beneficiary data before releasing funds. The Minister further referenced a letter from the Deputy Finance Minister dated April 24, 2026, stressing the need for the requested information to be submitted to facilitate the payment process.
The strike, initiated on August 11, 2026, has already disrupted academic schedules at several universities, including the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), reportedly suspending scheduled examinations. GTEC has previously suspended its strike on December 22, 2025, following an intervention by the Education Minister, citing a need for accurate beneficiary data to expedite payment.
GAUA and TUSAAG have previously suspended their strike, following a letter from the Education Minister, which contained both ‘friendly’ and ‘unfriendly’ elements. The Minister suggested that the issues raised in the letter may necessitate separate discussions, urging the administrators to return to work as the government works toward resolving their concerns. The association has indicated that they will communicate their decision by Wednesday, August 19th, and if members agree to suspend the strike, the government will have until September 17, 2026, to address the payment concerns under the one-month timeframe proposed by Mr. Iddrisu. The Minister underscored the importance of harmony across public universities, noting that both sides are seeking to resolve the dispute and restore normal academic and administrative functions.”
This situation involves a complex interplay of legal, financial, and administrative concerns, with the government’s commitment to resolving the payment issues being a key focus. The Ministry’s directive to GTEC underscores the urgency of the situation and the government’s intention to ensure the resumption of academic activities. Further details regarding the specific figures and timelines are expected to be released by the Ministry in the coming days. The ongoing strike has raised concerns about the stability of the education sector, and the government’s efforts to find a solution are being closely watched.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
