The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) says it has taken cognizance of the strike action of the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (UTAG) and
Senior Staff Association- Universities of Ghana which took effect today, 2nd August 2021 with a call on the government to immediately resolve the impasse.
UTAG went on strike over government failure to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012.
The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana is also on strike because the government has failed to address concerns raised about its members’ conditions of service.
The National Labour Commission has directed the two unions to end the strike and return to the negotiation table however that call has been out rightly rejected.
GRASAG stated in a statement released Monday under the signatures of
Heartwill Selasi Tamekloe, National President, and E. Yao Agbenyo
Public Relations Officer that “We wish to appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency, take immediate steps towards the amicable settlement of the impasse. It is sad and disappointing to note that members of the University Teachers’ Association and the Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana give off their best to train and groom researchers and future lecturers for the country’s intellectual fraternity, only to be met with deaf ears, when it comes to remunerations and conditions of service. We deem this as unacceptable and condemnable in no uncertain terms.”
The statement added “this call is a necessity since students are on the major receiving end of the consequences of the strike action. It will have negative effects on the research works, presentations, quizzes, examinations, etc. of students and further disrupt the academic calendar of the Universities and by extension, the plans of students and their parents beyond what the COVID-19 pandemic has already unleashed on us”
“While we plead with the government to expedite steps towards the call off of the strike action, we humbly appeal on UTAG and SSA-UoG to consider the plights of our members, and resume work since it has the potential of affecting the academic calendar of the country”
“We would also through this medium encourage all university students and researchers to hold their peace, continue to learn, and do all that is required of them as GRASAG, in collaboration with all other student associations continues to advocate for the rights of students. We finally implore our members and other students to stay safe and observe the COVID -19 protocols as they continue to stay on the campuses.”
Source: Mybyrtfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
