The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has ordered senior management officials of public universities participating in the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) to immediately return to work.
The directive comes as the strike continues to disrupt some academic and administrative activities in public universities, including scheduled examinations.
GTEC said senior management officials occupy executive, managerial and policy-making positions and therefore have responsibilities that may restrict their participation in industrial action under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
The Commission also raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest where senior management officials participate in the strike while simultaneously being required to represent their institutions in engagements with trade unions and ensure the continuity of essential university services.
As part of the directive issued to public universities on Monday, August 17, GTEC instructed Vice-Chancellors to submit, within 48 hours of receiving the directive, registers of senior management officials who participated in the industrial action and failed to comply with the order to return to work.
The Commission further directed universities to ensure that the industrial action does not interfere with critical services required for the effective functioning of the institutions.
These services include end-of-semester examinations, auditing, internet and telecommunications systems, student portals, registration platforms, healthcare, cleaning and janitorial services, finance, salary processing and other essential payments.
GTEC warned that any unlawful disruption of essential services could amount to a breach of the Labour Act and other applicable laws.
The directive follows reports that the GAUA strike has already affected academic activities at some public universities, with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and other institutions reportedly suspending examinations.
GTEC has consequently urged members of GAUA and TUSAAG to exercise restraint and ensure that their industrial action is conducted within the limits of the law.
The Commission’s intervention is expected to increase pressure on the striking associations and university authorities to resolve the dispute while safeguarding essential academic and administrative services for students and staff.
