Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has engaged the leadership of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and university management in an effort to resolve issues surrounding the ongoing strike by administrative and professional staff of public universities.
The meeting focused on key employment and welfare concerns, including salary adjustments, market premium, job evaluation, staff equivalence, conditions of service, unpaid allowances and retirement benefits.
Education Minister Calls for End to University Strike
During the engagement, Haruna Iddrisu appealed to striking university administrators to consider suspending the industrial action and return to negotiations.
The Education Minister said he was prepared to engage the Ministry of Finance, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and other relevant government agencies to help address the concerns raised by the university staff.
He stressed the importance of restoring peace and stability on university campuses, particularly as institutions prepare for the new academic year.
According to the Minister, significant progress had been made in restoring Ghana’s academic calendar after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and all stakeholders must work together to protect those gains.
Fresh Job Evaluation for University Staff
One of the major issues discussed was the demand for a new job evaluation exercise.
GAUA explained that the current arrangements were based on previous evaluations and argued that a fresh assessment was necessary to reflect the responsibilities and roles of university administrative and professional staff today.
The Education Minister welcomed the proposal and expressed his readiness to engage the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the possibility of conducting a new job evaluation.
Government Addresses Outstanding Research Allowance
The meeting also considered the outstanding one-time research allowance owed to eligible university staff.
Haruna Iddrisu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating payment and cited a April 24, 2026 letter from Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem, which requested validated and disaggregated beneficiary information.
The Education Minister directed that the required data be submitted to the Ministry of Finance for verification and processing. He also pledged to follow up to help ensure the issue is resolved.
Staff Equivalence and Salary Concerns
The long-standing issue of staff equivalence was another key area of discussion.
Prof. Anamoah explained that the equivalence system had historical roots and was established to recognise the complementary contributions of different categories of employees within Ghana’s university system.
He urged stakeholders to understand the history behind the arrangements and prevent the matter from creating divisions among university workers.
Concerns were also raised over the placement of senior administrative and professional officers, including Registrars, Executive Registrars and Finance Directors.
The union indicated that the current placement arrangements could have implications for salary levels, career progression and pension benefits. The Education Minister acknowledged the concerns and said the relevant issues would be reviewed.
University Strike Disrupts Academic and Administrative Activities
University management also appealed to the striking staff to return to work while negotiations continue.
The ongoing strike has implications for important university operations, including student admissions, administration, academic activities and other essential services.
The Education Minister urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid public statements that could escalate tensions.
He emphasised that continued dialogue and constructive negotiations remain the best way to achieve a sustainable resolution to the industrial dispute.
GAUA Strike Remains in Force
Following the meeting, GAUA National President Stanley Abofam and National President Rev. Kweku Kakereyamwa described the discussions with the Education Minister as positive and productive.
However, the union leaders clarified that the university administrators’ strike had not been called off.
They said the leadership would report the outcome of the meeting to its members and consult the various constituencies before deciding on the next steps.
GAUA assured the Education Minister that it would communicate its decision within 48 hours.
The meeting ended with both sides expressing renewed commitment to dialogue, although the industrial action remains in force pending consultations by the union and a subsequent decision.
Source: newsthemegh.com