The University of Ghana (UG) Branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has declined the decision by the University’s Business Executive Committee and its National Association to call off the strike action and resume lectures on 28th February 2022.
The University of Ghana’s Business and Executive Committee in a circular called on the University students and lecturers that Institution will resume full academic work from Monday, 28th February 2022.
UTAG National Executive Committee also in a statement entreated members of the association to also go back to the classroom as the leadership continues with negotiation with the government and other stakeholders.
But, the UG branch through its Secretary, Prof. Ransford Gyampo indicated that the move to decline the call is meant not to inconvenience students in commencing class just for the Association to resume the strike action again when negotiations do not go well.
“First, the UTAG-National Executive Committee’s decision to suspend the strike, has been rejected by majority of members of public universities in Ghana, and it will not be prudent to commence teaching for few days, only to resume the strike again, given the toll this may likely impose on students and parents,” Ransford Gyampo explained.
Below is UG-UTAG statement
Outcome of Emergency Meeting of UG-UTAG on 27th February, 2022
Dear Registrar,
An emergency meeting was called to discuss your release communicating the University’s Business and Executive Committee’s decision for teaching and academic work to commence on Monday 28th February 2022, in anticipation of the ratification of the UTAG-National Executive Committee’s decision to suspend the industrial action upon by UTAG since 10th January 2022.
After extensive deliberations, they directed me to bring to your attention, their inability to comply with the decision of the Business and Executive Committee for the resumption of teaching on Monday 28th February 2022. This was based on the following reasons:
First, the UTAG-National Executive Committee’s decision to suspend the strike, has been rejected by majority of members of public universities in Ghana, and it will not be prudent to commence teaching for few days, only to resume the strike again, given the toll this may likely impose on students and parents.
Secondly, given the trust deficit between UTAG and government, members indicated their preference to see the outcome of the talks/engagement (not negotiations) initiated by the government to resolve the impasse (which is expected to end on March 4, 2022), before they return to the classroom.
Kindly be notified accordingly.
Thank you.
Prof Ransford E.V. Gyampo, Secretary UG-UTAG
