NUGS urges government to address concerns of senior staff of universities
Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called upon the government to promptly address the demands presented by the Senior Staff Associations of universities across the country.
The Senior Staff Association of the Public Universities in Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff (FUSSAG) initiated an indefinite nationwide strike on Wednesday, 17th January 2024, citing the government’s blatant disregard for their welfare as the primary cause.
The associations have been advocating for the payment of their two-tier pension and overtime allowances, but their requests have been consistently ignored, leading to the decision to strike.
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As a result, various essential services, including healthcare, administration, and security, have been disrupted. Particularly affected are final-year students who heavily rely on the guidance and supervision of senior technicians during their practical sessions.
Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, the President of NUGS expressed his concerns over the adverse impact of the strike on academic activities. In an interview with Citi News, he stated, “We’ve received numerous complaints, especially from final-year students, third-year students, and science students who require practical sessions. These students are unable to commence their final-year projects due to the absence of senior officers, particularly technicians in the labs. The lack of supervision and guidance from these experienced individuals is hindering the smooth progress of academic work.”
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Kyeremeh emphasized the urgent need for the government to engage in productive discussions with the striking unions. “We are simply urging the government to sit down with these unions and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. According to their accounts, they have been advocating for improved conditions of service for years, but the government has continuously postponed meetings and failed to give them the attention they deserve.”
Mr. Oppong called on the government to provide a transparent explanation for its inability to meet the demands of the senior staff. He underscored the vital role played by these staff members and highlighted how their absence was impeding academic activities.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
