NUGS APPEALS TO UTAG TO CALL OFF THEIR STRIKE AND CHARGES ON GOVERNMENT TO BE PROACTIVE.

10th August, 2015.

For Immediate Release.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has noted with shock and bemusement, the recent declaration of strike action by members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) over the non-payment of their book and research allowance and accordingly wishes to humbly call for a reversal of that decision like many have done. 

It would be recalled that sometime last year, UTAG embarked on strike action over concerns regarding this same book and research allowance which lasted for about two months and disrupted the calendar of schools. This compelled government to heed to their demands and eventually a roadmap was reached between the two parties on the matter. However, developments now suggest that government has failed to honour its commitment to UTAG as agreed last year, which has now compelled them to go on strike again. 

The Union is particularly concerned about the timing of the strike due to its pernicious ramifications on the students at the various public universities and the possible disruption of the academic calendar. This is because, these institutions as we speak, are expected to resume from the long vacation effective next week and counting. Why would the lecturers declare strike at this crucial period knowing very well that serious academic works at the nation's universities are expected to gather momentum in earnest? 

That aside, NUGS also begrudges government for its failure to effectively handle labour disputes in the country with the necessary tact and meticulousness leading to the proclamation of several strike actions and labour unrests which now appear to have overwhelmed the entire  nation. It is no more newsworthy to hear of one strike action or another almost on daily basis. This is certainly worrying and we think government can do better to arrest the situation. 

In the light of this and the specific case of the UTAG strike, NUGS is calling on the government as well as the leadership of UTAG and indeed all the relevant stakeholders to as a matter of urgency, constructively engage each other with the view to finding amicable resolution to the impasse. 

We wish to conclude by reiterating our passionate appeal to the lecturers to call off their strike in the interest of the ordinary students while the necessary engagements and negotiations are underway. NUGS also appeals to the  government to be very professional and proactive in meeting the legitimate demands of the lecturers and by extension, the nation's workforce.

Education is and must remain a RIGHT and not a PRIVILEGE. That is all we ask for as students of this country so we can get educated in our country. 

Thank you.

Signed.

Rhodalyn Eshun

(Press and Information Secretary)

024 670 1359

Prosper Dzitse

(NUGS President)

0546580044

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