The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has convened a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and representatives of university management following a protracted industrial action by administrative and professional staff of public universities. The meeting, held on [Date – Placeholder], focused on a range of critical issues impacting university operations, including salary adjustments, market premium, job evaluation, staff equivalencies, conditions of service, outstanding allowances, retirement arrangements, and staff placement. Mr. Iddrisu emphasized the urgent need to suspend the strike and resume negotiations with the union, assuring the leadership that he would engage the Ministry of Finance, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and other relevant institutions to facilitate a resolution. The meeting specifically addressed concerns regarding the implementation of a negotiated salary adjustment, with the union advocating for a market premium treatment, and a fresh job evaluation to ensure staff remuneration accurately reflects their responsibilities. A major point of contention was the historical basis of existing job equivalencies arrangements, which the union argued should not be interpreted as a contest over superiority. The Education Minister welcomed the proposal for a fresh job evaluation and pledged to engage the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the matter, citing a letter from Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem on [Date – Placeholder] requesting validated beneficiary data to ensure timely payment of outstanding allowances. Subsequently, the Minister directed the submission of this data to the Ministry of Finance, stating that follow-up action would be taken. Furthermore, the issue of staff equivalences was discussed extensively, with Professor Anamoah outlining the need for arrangements that recognize complementary roles within different categories of staff and cautioned against potential implications for salaries and pensions. Representatives of university management expressed their concern regarding step-down arrangements and staff placement, specifically highlighting the potential impact on salaries and pensions for Registrars, Executive Registrars, Finance Directors, and other senior officers. The union also raised anxieties regarding retirement arrangements and a communication from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) regarding staff participation in the strike. Mr. Iddrisu took note of these concerns and indicated that they would be examined. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of dialogue as the primary objective, with the union leadership stating they would consult their members, present the outcome to their constituents, and revert to the Education Minister within 48 hours. The engagement ended with a renewed commitment to dialogue, aiming to resolve outstanding issues and restore stability across Ghana’s universities. The Minister stressed that the objective of this engagement was to resolve the issues through dialogue and stability.”] , 12,
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Source: Adom Online
