In a decisive move that is expected to significantly disrupt academic and administrative operations across public universities in Ghana, three major unions — the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) — have jointly declared an indefinite strike, effective today.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Accra, addressed by Mr. George Ansong, National Chairman of SSA-UoG, who expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the government’s persistent failure to honour a binding agreement signed six months ago.
“This difficult decision comes after countless engagements and goodwill efforts extended to the government,” Mr. Ansong stated. “Unfortunately, these have been met with persistent inaction, neglect, and a blatant failure to honour the terms of a duly signed agreement.”
According to the unions, the agreement was not merely symbolic but a legally binding contract aimed at improving working conditions and ensuring long-term institutional harmony. Despite repeated dialogues, reminders, and extended timelines, union leaders claim the government has shown no genuine intent to fulfil its obligations.
“This strike is not an act of defiance,” Mr. Ansong emphasized, “but a last-resort response to an entrenched culture of broken promises. We must stand firm in defence of our rights and the integrity of agreements meant to safeguard our welfare.”
The leadership acknowledged the likely disruption that the strike will cause, particularly to academic calendars and university operations, but squarely placed the blame on the government’s door for its alleged lack of good faith and accountability.
“We remain resolved,” the statement concluded. “Nothing will move us to work until the government honours its part of the agreement. Until then, our strike action will continue indefinitely.”
The unions have called on media houses, civil society groups, and the general public to stand in solidarity with them, urging all stakeholders to pressure the government into fulfilling its promises.
As public universities brace for the fallout of the strike, the ball is now firmly in the government’s court to avert a prolonged disruption to tertiary education in the country. Attempts to reach the Ministry of Education for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu