- Three labour unions representing staff in public universities have declared an indefinite strike, effective immediately
- The unions cite unfair treatment and breaches of existing agreements by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and government
- The unions are demanding that statutory penalties be applied in line with pension regulations
Three labour unions representing workers in public universities have declared an indefinite strike, effective immediately, citing alleged unfair treatment and violations of existing agreements by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the government.
In a statement dated February 3, 2026, the unions explained that the industrial action follows what they describe as the FWSC’s unilateral modification of conditions of service—most notably the withdrawal of overtime allowances for senior staff, which were replaced with a call-in allowance.
According to the unions, a 2021 agreement reached with the FWSC and the government explicitly recognized overtime allowances for senior staff. However, the University of Ghana discontinued the payments last year, a decision they say has since been replicated at other institutions, including the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the University for Development Studies (UDS), despite ongoing negotiations.
The unions also expressed concern over the government’s failure to pay salary arrears and allowances accumulated over four years following the elevation of NAFTI, GIL, and GIJ into the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC).
In addition, they raised issues with the non-payment of Tier Two pension contributions for a five-month period from August to December 2024, insisting that penalties be applied in accordance with pension regulations.
The unions noted that the decision to embark on the strike was taken reluctantly, but emphasized that fair treatment and adherence to agreed conditions of service are non-negotiable.
