The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has expressed concern over the ongoing strike in public universities by the Senior Staff Association and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of Trade Union Congress.
The umbrella body of Ghanaian students has therefore called on the government to ensure an immediate resolution of the issues that resulted in the strike action.
“We implore the government of Ghana to prioritize the concerns raised by the unions and work towards a speedy resolution,” the Union said in a statement dated January 24 and signed by its President, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh.
The NUGS further called on “both the government and the unions to engage in immediate and constructive negotiations.”
It said, “While we respect the right of unions to advocate for their members, we emphasize the significant impact this strike has on the academic well-being of students across the country. In the spirit of fostering a conducive learning environment, we appeal to the unions to consider returning to their duties while negotiations continue.”
They explained that, “This temporary return to work would alleviate the burden on students and ensure that the dialogue process takes place without further hindrance. Moreover, NUGS advocates for a comprehensive stakeholder consultation involving government representatives, university management, and the concerned unions. A collaborative approach is vital in understanding the complexities of the issues and arriving at sustainable solutions that address the legitimate concerns of all parties involved.”
“The National Union of Ghana Students remains committed to championing the rights and interests of students. We believe that through earnest dialogue and a commitment to finding common ground, a resolution that serves the best interests of both the unions and the students can be achieved” the press release concluded.
Senior Staff Association of universities of Ghana declare indefinite strike
It would be recalled that the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana, and the Federation of Senior Staff Association Ghana, embarked on an indefinite strike, with effect from January 17, 2024.
The decision was as a result of what they described as Government‘s persistent disregard for welfare of their members and other conditions of service.
The industrial action by the Senior Staff Association is to protest the government’s delay in releasing tier two pension funds and a directive by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, for the cancellation of payment of overtime allowance for weekend and holiday work.