UTAG Temporarily Suspends Strike Out Of Respect For Kufuor, Others

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced it is temporarily suspending its strike action for better conditions of service which it embarked on in January 2022.

In a statement signed by UTAG President, Prof Solomon Nunoo, and National Secretary, Dr. Asare Asante Annor, the Association said the decision which was reached after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was out of respect for former President John Kufuor and other eminent persons who have pleaded with them to end the strike.

“The NEC of UTAG also considered the impact of our industrial action on our students and the appeals from the public, especially parents and respected eminent leaders including former President J. A. Kufour and Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellors of University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa and University of Cape Coast, respectively….”

However, these were not the only factors that moved the association to end the strike – in addition to these, there has been an agreement to keep engaging the government.

It said, a roadmap for the negotiation between Government and UTAG has been agreed and that The Employer has committed to improving the conditions of service of UTAG members.

Also, it added, negotiations will commence in earnest and be completed within the agreed period and the outcome communicated to members.

UTAG has been on strike since January 10, 2022, to force the government to restore the conditions of service agreed in 2012.

An injunction has however been placed on the strike after an appeal by the National Labour Commission (NLC).

The court has on two occasions ordered both parties to adopt an out-of-court settlement.

The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42.

UTAG had complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84.