GAUA Strike: VCs engage university administrators as Education Minister meeting moves to Aug. 18

The leadership of Vice-Chancellors Ghana (VCG) has reached out to the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) as efforts to resolve the ongoing strike intensify. A virtual meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, centered on the issues at the heart of the industrial action, primarily focusing on the disparities in Market Premium and other allowances between teaching and non-teaching senior members of public universities.

Michael Owusu Ansah, President of the University of Ghana chapter of GAUA and former national president, stated that VCG has committed to presenting the association's concerns to the government as part of their resolution efforts.

This development precedes a rescheduled meeting between GAUA, VCG, and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, now set for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The postponement is attributed to urgent circumstances requiring the Education Minister to accompany President John Mahama. The August 18 meeting is anticipated to offer a direct platform for the parties to discuss the issues that initiated the strike and deliberate on practical measures to resolve the impasse.

GAUA launched the strike over grievances regarding the implementation of its conditions of service, which include disparities in Market Premium payments, the implementation date of its conditions of service, and retirement arrangements. The association emphasizes that differences in remuneration between teaching and non-teaching senior staff need to be addressed to ensure equitable treatment across public universities.

GAUA has cautioned that it will not terminate the strike based on mere assurances; instead, it insists on obtaining concrete commitments and clear timelines to address its concerns.

The strike has caused significant disruptions to essential administrative operations in public universities, including procurement and payment processing, admissions, examination timetables, and ICT functions.