The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) strike against the Vice-Chancellors Ghana (VCG) and the government continues, with a crucial meeting scheduled for August 18, 2026. The meeting will bring together GAUA, VCG, and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Virtual Meeting Ahead of Education Minister's Emergency Meeting
The leadership of Vice-Chancellors Ghana (VCG) has engaged the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) as efforts intensify to resolve the association's ongoing strike. The virtual meeting, held on Wednesday, August 12, focused on the concerns behind the industrial action, particularly disparities in Market Premium and other allowances between teaching and non-teaching senior members of public universities.
GAUA has maintained that differences in remuneration between teaching and non-teaching senior members must be addressed to ensure fairness across public universities. According to Michael Owusu Ansah, President of the University of Ghana chapter of GAUA and immediate past national president of the association, VCG assured GAUA that it would take its concerns up with the government as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.
Strike Disrupts University Operations
The strike has disrupted key administrative operations across public universities. GAUA has warned that prolonged industrial action could affect procurement and payment processing, admissions, examination timetables, and ICT operations. The association has also emphasized that it will not call off the strike based solely on assurances. It demands concrete commitments and clear timelines to resolve its concerns.
Postponement of Education Minister's Meeting
The meeting between GAUA, VCG, and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, August 13, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The postponement is due to an urgent engagement that requires the Education Minister to travel with President John Mahama. The August 18 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the parties to engage directly on the issues that triggered the strike and explore concrete measures to end the impasse.
The strike, which began over concerns about the implementation of GAUA's conditions of service, including disparities in the payment of Market Premium, the implementation date of its conditions of service, and retirement arrangements, has been ongoing for some time. The association's stance on the issue has been clear, and it remains to be seen whether the scheduled meeting will yield the desired results.
The outcome of the August 18 meeting will be closely watched, as it has the potential to either resolve the dispute or prolong the strike. The Ghanaian public will be waiting with bated breath to see whether the parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement and put an end to the strike.
Source: Joy Online
