GAUA, TUSAAG suspend strike; members to resume work October 19

The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) have indefinitely suspended their month-long strike following government’s resolution of about 80 per cent of their grievances.

The two Associations have directed their members to resume work on Monday, October 19, 2026, following engagements with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and other relevant government institutions.

The strike, which began on August 10, disrupted administrative activities across public universities and technical universities, with earlier attempts to resolve the impasse proving unsuccessful.

However, the Associations say progress made in addressing their demands, including the payment of market premiums and the 40 per cent retirement rollover, has informed their decision to suspend the industrial action.

Speaking after the announcement, GAUA President Reverend Karikari Amoah said the decision followed a thorough assessment of the concerns raised by the association before the strike.

“For us, before the strike, we brought issues about market premium, wrongful placement in the Single Spine Pay Policy, the extension of the retirement rollover and research payment. After we had done a thorough evaluation, we came to the consensus that about 80 per cent of our grievances have been met,” he said.

Reverend Amoah said the remaining concerns would be addressed through further negotiations, adding that members had been asked to return to work on Monday, October 19.

TUSAAG President Stanley Abopaam also confirmed the suspension, acknowledging the interventions of the Education and Finance Ministers in facilitating progress towards resolving the dispute.

“From the intervention of the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance, who have been working in good faith, we have decided to suspend the strike whilst we continue to engage on the remaining items that are unresolved,” he said.

He expressed confidence that continued engagements with government would lead to the resolution of the outstanding issues.

Education Minister welcomes suspension

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has welcomed the decision by GAUA and TUSAAG to suspend their strike, expressing relief at the progress made towards restoring normal administrative operations in tertiary institutions.

The Minister acknowledged the legitimacy of industrial action but stressed the need to restore the academic calendar and recover time lost to disruptions across the education sector.

“I recognise that the strike is legitimate, and what is important to us is the restoration of the academic calendar, so that from pre-tertiary to tertiary, we can recover the calendar,” he said.

56,000 teachers receive promotion allowances

Meanwhile, Mr Iddrisu has announced that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department has released payments for promotion allowances to 56,000 teachers whose data have been validated and verified.

The minister said the payment was a significant step towards addressing concerns raised by teachers, adding that it had strengthened his confidence in the government’s handling of the matter.

“The Controller and Accountant-General has paid the 56,000 teachers whose data have been validated and verified, and at least I can walk with my shoulders high and walk with my honour intact,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu further indicated that the government intended to implement the deprived-area allowance from January 2027, in line with the applicable collective agreement and arrangements involving the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

He also said outstanding payments due to other teachers were expected to be settled by the end of October.

“The other outstanding areas will be paid to the rest of the teachers by the end of this month,” he added.