The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has officially declared an indefinite strike effective Monday, August 10, 2026, marking a significant escalation in disputes surrounding allowances and working conditions for non-teaching staff. This action follows a protracted emergency meeting where the GAUA leadership and members deliberated extensively and reached a collective decision to initiate the strike. The association, representing the interests of these crucial administrative personnel, is vehemently protesting perceived disparities in compensation between the highest-ranked and lowest-ranked non-teaching staff members. According to the Secretary of GAUA, Phanuel Seli Kwadzo Asense, the allowances paid to the highest-ranked non-teaching staff member are nearly 50 per cent lower than those received by the lowest-ranked teaching staff member. This disparity is significantly impacting the welfare of administrators and their ability to effectively deliver services across the university campus. He stated, ‘If you pick the least teaching staff member, the allowance offered to them compared to the highest non-teaching staff member, there is a disparity of not less than 50%.’
The industrial action, initiated following months of negotiations and correspondence with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other government stakeholders, has already resulted in the closure of several administrative offices, including those at the IT, Accounting, and Development departments, as well as the university’s hospitals. Administrative offices at the IT, Accounting, and Development departments, as well as the university’s hospitals, have been shut down. Mr. Asense emphasized that the association intends to continue the strike until its demands – specifically addressing the current allowance inequities – are met. He asserted, ‘If government is a listening one and would have our concerns addressed, we will consider coming back. We are not fighting the university or the teaching staff.’
A monitoring team is being deployed to track members who may defy the strike, raising concerns about potential disruption to university operations. Furthermore, a fire has occurred at an abandoned trailer near Ogbojo, resulting in two other minor outbreaks. Mankralo of Mepe has requested an extension to the Sege-Mepe Road project to connect the area, potentially impacting student enrollment and access to resources. The situation underscores a growing tension between the university administration and its staff, with the strike presenting a considerable challenge to the university’s operational stability.
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Source: Adom Online
