“Absolutely not, we can’t operate without the [strike] unions…” – Vice Chancellors Ghana
The Executive Secretary of Vice Chancellors Ghana, Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, emphasized the critical role that striking unions play in the functioning of universities. Without the essential services provided by these unions, the smooth operation of academic institutions becomes challenging. “Absolutely not, we can’t operate without the unions. We can’t study in a dirty classroom…These unions are in charge of utility services, sanitation and all those things and if they are not there, you can’t manage. Unless, maybe you want to outsource at a very high bill. It will be hard for universities to operate without this category of people,” she said.
The ongoing strike by various university unions, such as TEWU, SSA-UoG, and FUSSAG, has resulted in the delay of public universities’ reopening. This strike, which is indefinite, stems from a list of unresolved demands, including issues like delayed pension contributions and non-payment of allowances.
Major universities like the University of Ghana, University of Education Winneba, and the University for Development Studies have all been impacted by the strike, leading to the postponement of their reopening dates. Furthermore, TUSAAG has announced its intention to commence a nationwide strike on September 27, 2024. This decision comes as a response to the government’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, particularly concerning revised allowances for senior staff members.
In light of these developments, Labour consultant, Austin Gamey has urged the government to take prompt action in meeting the unions’ demands to avoid further disruptions to the academic calendar. The situation highlights the importance of effective negotiation and collaboration between university management, government authorities, and labor unions to ensure the smooth functioning of higher education institutions.
