The nationwide strike action called by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) was not effective as expected, as some lectures did not adhere to the directive from the National Executive Committee (NEC) while others did.
The action was in solidarity with their counterparts at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) who were on strike to protest court ruling against its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mawutor Avoke and the finance officer.
The leadership of UTAG was locked up in a meeting with the Vice-Chancellors of Council, while many of the UTAG members were undecided, waiting for communication from the meeting.
Checks by ADR Daily at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) indicates that some lecturers were in the lecture halls to teach as scheduled.
Some students were observed entering and existing lecture halls, halls of residents, libraries and other facilities on the various campuses just like any other normal weekday.
At the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus, lecturers were divided over the University Teachers Association of Ghana’s (UTAG) strike, as some claimed they were not informed, but others said they were aware.
Students were not pleased with the turn of events as they could not understand why lectures should halt over the strike.
At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), there was no sign of ongoing lectures as students were stranded and did not know when their lectures were beginning.
Lecturers were not available on the campus as some students who were supposed to have lectures in some departments registered their frustrations over the situation.
Some UTAG members told ADR Daily that they were awaiting the outcome of today’s meeting between the Vice-Chancellors of Ghana and UTAG NEC to know what action to take.
Meanwhile, the registration process for first-year students of the University was going on smoothly in the various departments.
It is recalled that on September 13, the leadership of UTAG in a statement signed by Dr Harry Agbanu, President of the association, announced its intention to embark on strike yesterday.
It said, “The board of UEW does not seem to be interested and for that matter not serious in resolving the issue” as directed by the court in its ruling that the recently inaugurated board of the UEW took steps to resolve the impasse.
He said by writing to the University lawyer to withdraw the whole appeal process by the University from the Appeals Court, and the Stay of Execution of the injunction order issued by the High Court, the UEW’s Council Chairman, has rather made matters worse.
The UTAG in that statement criticised the Education Ministry for the “lack of interest” it exhibited in the matter.
The High Court in Winneba on July 14, 2017ordered the Vice Chancellor and Finance minister to step aside until a case brought against them before the court was resolved.
The UEW chapter of UTAG has since been on strike from July, 14 with a strong indication that they were not ready to back down on their demands until they are met.
By Nii Adotey/adrdaily.com
