Two months of talks with the government have yielded no progress – GAUA

Two months of negotiations between the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the government have yielded no significant progress, according to the national general secretary of GAUA, Charles Jojo Aidoo. Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Aidoo stated that none of the association's long-standing grievances have been addressed.

The organization had initiated a strike in August due to the failure of negotiations over the payment of approved allowances and the disparities in allowances and other conditions of service for university administrators. These grievances include non-monetary issues.

GAUA engaged with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), but Aidoo expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the discussions. The strike has caused disruptions in administrative services at several public universities, including the University of Ghana and UniMAC. At the University of Ghana, students have encountered difficulties with course registration, accommodation, and access to the university's online portal.

The association's registration for the 2026/2027 academic year has also been postponed due to the ongoing industrial action.

Aidoo acknowledged the impact of the strike on university operations but emphasized that GAUA members are also frustrated by the lack of progress in resolving their concerns. The association has been representing professionals in various roles within universities, such as medical doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, auditors, human resource professionals, and procurement specialists.

GAUA has been voicing its concerns about the conditions of service for its members since 2008, noting that they have yet to establish any conditions of service. Despite the lack of significant progress, Aidoo expressed hope that further engagement with the FWSC could yield positive results by the end of the month.