Bolgatanga: The Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) has issued a stern warning that its members may initiate a nationwide strike if the government does not fulfill its promise to pay outstanding research allowances by the end of the year. The call for action was made by Mr. Stanley Akamiri Abopaam, the National President of TUSAAG, during the Association's 7th National Annual Delegates Conference at Bolgatanga Technical University.
According to Ghana News Agency, the unpaid allowances are linked to an agreement signed in July of the previous year involving TUSAAG, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations. This agreement was designed to compensate administrators for conducting peer-reviewed research necessary for their promotions. Despite government assurances and inclusion of the allowance in the 2025 budget, the funds have yet to be disbursed, causing frustration among administrators.
Mr. Abopaam emphasized the seriousness of the situation, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to industrial unrest in the tertiary university sector. He revealed that the National Executive Council is under pressure to declare a strike, but they remain hopeful for a government response to prevent such measures.
He made it clear that TUSAAG will not accept any further delays beyond 2025, stating that continued inaction would force the Association to consider industrial action. The leadership expects the funds to be credited to their accounts by the end of the year, warning that failure to do so would lead to a decisive stance against the government.
Furthermore, Mr. Abopaam highlighted concerns over the growing pay gap between administrators and teaching staff, which he described as demotivating. He called for the government and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address these disparities to ensure equitable compensation for all professional staff in technical universities.
Professor Peter Osei Boamah, Pro Vice Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University, who presided over the conference's opening, praised administrators as crucial to institutional success. He encouraged them to lead with innovation and adapt to the evolving demands of the educational landscape.
Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, also commended the administrators, calling them the essential 'engine' of Ghana's technical universities. He urged them to continue advocating for the development of the universities and the improvement of their members' working conditions.