The Education Ministry is set to engage the leadership of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) this week as government intensifies efforts to resolve the association’s ongoing strike over disparities in allowances.
The planned meeting, involving Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, is expected to focus on GAUA’s concerns over differences in Market Premium and other related allowances between teaching and non-teaching senior members of public universities.
The development was disclosed by the Education Minister’s spokesperson, Hashmin Mohammed, who said government was committed to finding a solution to the impasse.
“I think that meeting should happen sometime this week so that we can find a solution to this issue,” he told Citi News.
However, GAUA has signalled that another meeting alone will not be enough to end its industrial action.
The association says it wants concrete measures and a clear commitment from government to address what it considers longstanding disparities affecting university administrators.
President of the University of Ghana chapter of GAUA, Michael Owusu Ansah, said members were no longer prepared to suspend their action based solely on assurances.
He warned that government would have to demonstrate tangible progress if it expects the association to reconsider its position.
“If it is going to be ‘trust me and give me time and I will come back to you,’ I’m afraid this time GAUA may not be persuaded by words,” he said.
GAUA’s position sets the stage for potentially difficult negotiations when the Education Minister meets the association and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
The outcome of the engagement could determine whether government is able to secure an end to the strike or whether the industrial action will continue until the association’s demands are addressed.
