University non-teaching unions have called for the immediate suspension and review of a retirement policy directive issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), warning that failure to withdraw the policy could lead to industrial action.

In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and addressed to the Director-General of GTEC, the Federation of Non-Academic Staff Unions in Universities–Ghana said the directive is unfair, arbitrary, and discriminatory against non-teaching staff in public universities.

The unions argued that the policy was developed without prior engagement or consultation with unions representing affected employees, describing the process as a clear violation of established labour practices.

According to the unions, the directive seeks to alter existing conditions of service and university statutes that allow staff to roll over their retirement to the end of the academic year rather than retiring strictly in their month of birth.

They warned that enforcing the directive could disrupt the academic calendar, as universities have already issued retirement notices based on academic-year timelines, enabling affected staff to plan their personal and professional lives accordingly.

The unions further rejected what they described as an attempt to marginalise non-teaching staff in public university governance, stressing that their contributions are critical to the effective administration of the institutions.

“We wish to serve notice that if within two weeks of the service of this letter the policy is not withdrawn, and staff are forced to exit employment in the month of birth instead of the end of the academic year, the unions will advise themselves,” the letter stated.

Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Ministers of Education and Labour, Jobs and Employment, the National Labour Commission, Vice-Chancellors Ghana, and other key labour unions within the public university system.