Haruna Iddrisu urges GAUA to end strike for university reopening

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) to call off their ongoing industrial action. The Minister expressed optimism that academic activities could resume by Sunday, October 18, 2026, with lectures officially scheduled to commence on October 19. This push follows significant delays at major institutions, including the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), which were forced to postpone their reopening dates due to the strike.

The industrial action stems from several unresolved grievances, most notably a demand from GAUA to restore the market premium to 114% of the basic salary. GAUA President Rev. Kwaku Karikari Amoah noted that the premium has declined significantly since 2012, affecting the conditions of service for administrators. While salary-related negotiations fall under the jurisdiction of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Minister Iddrisu confirmed that the government is currently processing GH 12 million in outstanding allowances. Other issues, such as research allowances and retirement rollovers, were reportedly addressed during recent emergency meetings between the Ministry, GAUA, and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

In a move to ensure the 2026/2027 academic year begins without further delay, GTEC has directed all public universities to reopen by October 16. The Commission has instructed Vice-Chancellors to ensure that essential administrative services are operational by October 15 and to report on their institutional readiness. The Ministry of Education emphasized its commitment to resolving the remaining disputes through constructive dialogue, urging the unions to return to work while negotiations continue with the FWSC, which is expected to provide a formal response to the market premium demands by October 16.

Minister Iddrisu emphasized that aligning the academic calendar and ensuring stability in tertiary institutions are key priorities under President John Mahama’s administration. Beyond the immediate strike resolution, the Minister addressed broader student welfare concerns, specifically the rising costs of private hostel accommodation. He suggested that the Student Loan Trust could potentially offer rent loans to students and encouraged university authorities to negotiate better terms with private hostel operators to alleviate the financial burden on students as they return to campus.