The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has urged the government to fulfill its obligations to the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) lecturers. This call comes amid an indefinite strike by CETAG, which began on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Dr. Apaak emphasized the need for a swift resolution to the impasse, warning that a prolonged strike would disrupt students’ progress and dislodge the academic calendar. He stressed that the government must meet its obligations to the lecturers to ensure their return to the classroom.
The strike was announced by CETAG’s leadership, who directed all members to withdraw teaching and related services indefinitely. This decision was made to protest the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions.
CETAG’s statement highlighted the need for immediate compliance with the declaration, emphasizing that the strike would continue until all orders arising from the Compulsory Arbitration Awards and related concerns were fully implemented.
Dr. Apaak, also the Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, reacted to the strike in a statement. He expressed concern that the strike had been ongoing since June 14, 2024, with no end in sight.
According to Dr. Apaak, the strike was occasioned by several factors, primarily the government’s refusal to implement an arbitration award granted to CETAG by the NLC. This award related to the transition from diploma-awarding teacher training colleges to degree-awarding colleges of education five years ago.
Dr. Apaak emphasized that the government’s failure to implement the arbitration award was the main bone of contention. He reiterated the need for the government to meet its obligations to the lecturers to resolve the impasse.
The Builsa South MP warned that a prolonged strike would have severe consequences for students and the academic calendar. He urged the government to take immediate action to address the concerns of CETAG lecturers.
Dr. Apaak’s call for government action comes as the strike enters its second week. The academic community and students await a resolution to the impasse, hoping for a swift return to normalcy. The strike by CETAG lecturers has brought attention to the need for the government to fulfill its obligations to the lecturers. Dr. Apaak’s call for action emphasizes the importance of resolving the impasse to ensure the progress of students and the stability of the academic calendar
