The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) Chapter of the Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has garnered support for its ongoing industrial action from the broader TUTAG community.
On August 25, 2023, the BTU branch of TUTAG, joined by the Technical University Senior Administrators’ Association of Ghana (TUSAAG), commenced an industrial action.
Their collective stance revolves around allegations that Professor Samuel Alnaa, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, is aiming to modify aspects of their retirement benefits, in contravention of the Ministry of Finance’s approval.
Furthermore, they have raised concerns regarding ambiguities within the Technical Universities Act (2026), specifically Act 922 as amended.
In a statement issued from Accra and endorsed by its General Secretary, Dr Abubakari Zakari, TUTAG expressed its solidarity with the ongoing strike initiated by the Bolgatanga Technical University Chapter.
The statement also conveyed a stern warning against any potential victimization of members from this chapter, particularly its leadership, cautioning that such actions would incur the strong disapproval of the union’s membership nationwide.
Dr Zakari drew attention to Section 42 (6) of the Technical Universities Act 2016 (Act 922) as amended, which articulates that “A person in the employment of a polytechnic in existence immediately before the coming into force of this Act, shall be deemed to have been duly employed by the respective Technical University established under this Act on the terms and conditions attached to the post held by that person before the coming into force of this Act.”
He emphasized that the Act’s establishment of Technical Universities in Ghana recognizes the continuous service rendered by staff transitioning from the former polytechnics to the newly formed Technical Universities in accordance with legal mandates.
“It is, therefore, both perplexing and illogical for any individual or group, who, by virtue of accrued rights, currently occupy positions of authority within the Technical Universities, to contemplate altering the employment conditions of the university staff,” he concluded.
Read full statement here
SOLIDARITY STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ONGOING STRIKE ACTION
BY THE BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY CHAPTER OF TUTAG
We refer to our letter dated 12th December 2022, reference number: TUTAG/VCTU-G-3/2022,addressed to the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G), in which we sent a strong warning to all Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities to desist from giving wrong and weird interpretation to our newly signed IGF related conditions of service, especially the item on our End of Service Benefit (ESB). We also refer to Section 42 (6) of the Technical Universities Act 2016 (Act 922) as amended, which states that “A person in the employment of a polytechnic in existence immediately before the coming into force of this Act, shall be deemed to have been duly employed by the respective Technical University established under this Act on the terms and conditions attached to the post held by that person before the coming into force of this Act”.
The above section of the Act establishing Technical Universities in Ghana clearly acknowledges the continuous service of staff of the then polytechnics who smoothly went through transition processes as required by law to becoming staff of the newly established Technical Universities. It is therefore mindboggling and absurd for any individual or group of individuals, who by virtue of accrued rights, are currently occupying positions of authority in the Technical Universities, to attempt to vary the conditions of service of staff of the universities.
We therefore issue this solidarity statement in support of the ongoing strike action by the
Bolgatanga Technical University Chapter of TUTAG, and warn that any attempt to victimize members of the above Chapter, especially the leadership, will incur the displeasure of the entire membership of the union across the length and breadth of the country.
Long live mother Ghana, long live TUTAG.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
