The President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), University of Ghana Chapter, Dr Samuel Nkumbaan has indicated that members of the Association may resume academic activities on Monday.
In an interaction with Israel Laryea on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, Dr Samuel Nkumbaan said, following the MoU signed with the Ministry of Education and the National Labour Commission, UTAG will convene a meeting to decide on the way forward.
“By the close of day today [Thursday] it should be possible to convene emergency meetings, even via zoom or in the course of the day tomorrow. It should be possible for all campuses to be able to have convened emergency meetings at which these issues are explained to members and their mandate sought, to suspend the action,” he said.
He noted that, “everybody appreciates the fact that unless we are on the negotiation table, we cannot get what we want, and we can’t also be at the negotiation table whilst the action is on.”
“So I think by close of today, by close of tomorrow, all campuses will be in the position to revert to the National Secretariat for a determination to be made,” he stressed.
Touching on the effect of the strike on the students, the President of UTAG UG noted that the students understand the conditions in which lecturers work, noting that the situation may discourage those who may want to venture into the profession.
“They appreciate the gravity of the matter by virtue of the fact that, there are many of them that probably would be willing to finish and come back to be lecturers.
“So to realize that this is the position by way of conditions of service of lecturers, is demoralizing,” the President observed.
Dr Nkumbaan further said, the students appreciate that one will give off his/her best when he/she is well motivated “and so if by virtue of your condition, you are not motivated and you go into the classroom, certainly the impact on the students will be felt.”
“And I suppose many of us are also parents, we have children in the universities and they know our circumstance and so many of these are the reasons for which some of the students can appreciate and will be calling on the government rather to listen to us and to give us what it is that we deserve, then we can also be in the position to deliver our best to our students,” he said.
UTAG has been demanding the implementation of a 2012 Single Spine package which put entry-level lecturers on a salary of $2,084.
Thus, in an MoU, UTAG and the government have agreed to begin negotiations on the matter from Monday, August 23, 2021.
Latest Stories
-
Bawumia’s 8 minutes elite ball that zapped the energy of trigger happy politicians
34 minutes -
It will be a betrayal if National Cathedral saga does not feature in ORAL’s work – Ablakwa
44 minutes -
‘It’s unfortunate we had to protect the public purse from Akufo-Addo’ – Ablakwa on ORAL Team’s mission
1 hour -
Congo lawyers say Apple’s supply chain statement must be verified
2 hours -
Stampede in southwestern Nigerian city causes multiple deaths
2 hours -
Tens of thousands without water in Mayotte as curfew brought in
2 hours -
ORAL: We won’t witch-hunt, we’ll focus on transparency, not revenge – Ablakwa
3 hours -
Attempted robbery: Accused claims he carried cutlass for protection
3 hours -
Excavator operator jailed for stealing
3 hours -
African fans age-shame me for putting on some outfits – Tiwa Savage
4 hours -
Tiwa Savage criticised by female fans for stance on cheating in relationships
4 hours -
Bank of England expected to hold interest rates
4 hours -
Congo river boat sinks killing at least 22
4 hours -
Nigeria approves Shell’s $2.4 billion asset sale to Renaissance
4 hours -
Embattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fire
5 hours