Ghana’s Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to striking university administrators to suspend their industrial action and allow the government one month to resolve outstanding payment disputes.
The appeal came during a Monday meeting with representatives from the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG). The minister committed to addressing the issues that triggered the strike, which began on August 11.
Central to the dispute is a one-time research allowance owed to non-teaching senior staff at public universities. Iddrisu directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to submit validated beneficiary data by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, enabling the Ministry of Finance to process payments. Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem reportedly stressed the need for accurate beneficiary information, referencing an April 24 letter on the matter.
The minister also addressed a recent GTEC letter he described as containing both “friendly and unfriendly” elements, suggesting those issues be handled separately while urging administrators to return to work.
The strike has disrupted academic activities, with the University of Health and Allied Sciences reportedly suspending scheduled examinations. TUSAAG had previously paused its action in December 2025 following ministerial intervention but resumed after the government missed payment deadlines in March and April 2026.
Meanwhile, GTEC has ordered specified senior management officials — including vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, registrars, directors of finance, directors of internal audit, and other executive and managerial officials — to return to work, arguing they are ineligible to participate in industrial action. Vice-chancellors have 48 hours to submit registers of non-compliant staff.
GAUA leadership requested 48 hours to consult members on the minister’s proposal, with a decision expected by Wednesday, August 19. If the strike is suspended, the government would have until September 17 to resolve the payment concerns under the proposed timeline.
The dispute also encompasses broader grievances including salary disparities and market premium adjustments. Both sides have expressed commitment to restoring normal academic and administrative operations across public universities.