The University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG) has said its members will not suspend their ongoing strike until their demands for improved conditions of service are met despite the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) directive for them to resume work.

This follows an emergency meeting held by the association on Monday, 17 January 2022.

According to the association, its members are unable to return to work due to the inability of the government to meet their “demands for improved conditions of service.” 

A statement issued by the association, co-signed by its President, Dr Samuel Nkumbaan; and its Secretary, Prof Ransford Gyampo, noted: “Members were surprised at the NLC directive for the strike to be called off due to late notification, even though the NLC had deliberately evaded and frustrated the process to serve them with notification.”

The association said its members have expressed worry about the unhelpful posturing of the NLC because UTAG’s intention to strike had always been in the public domain from the middle of 2021, yet the NLC had not been proactive in resolving the issues, particularly with regard to the Government’s obligations to UTAG.

The association further continued that at its emergency meeting, “members resolved that they will not call off the strike until their demands have been met.”

UTAG declared an indefinite strike on Monday, 10 January 2022.

The announcement of the industrial action by the lecturers was contained in a statement dated 8 January 2022.

The association catalogued a number of reasons for which they are laying down their tools.

Among them include “the pittance agreed to be paid as annual research allowance”.

They want, among other things, the government to “reconsider the payment of a more realistic research allowance”, as they said it is critical to their research output, promotion and ultimately national development. 

The lecturers also want a restoration of the 2013 entry point salary level of the cedi equivalent of $2,084 per month.