The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has suspended its nationwide strike, effective Friday, October 16, 2026, with members expected to return to work on Monday, October 19. The decision follows a final engagement with the Ministry of Education, which assured the association that its concerns would be addressed.
National President of GAUA, Rev. Kwaku Karikari Amoah, announced the suspension after a meeting of the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC). He said members had agreed to resume their duties while negotiations continued on the outstanding issues. According to Rev. Amoah, the decision was based on an assessment of the progress made in addressing the association’s grievances, with approximately 80 per cent of the concerns considered resolved.
“After we had done a thorough evaluation, we came to the consensus that about 80% of our grievances have been met,” he said. He explained that the remaining concerns would continue to be discussed with the relevant government stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive resolution.
“On that basis, we agreed unanimously that we suspend the strike action so that our members will go back to the offices on Monday to work,” Rev. Amoah added. The GAUA President outlined the issues that led to the industrial action, including market premium, alleged wrongful placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure, a negotiated 40 per cent allowance for professionals in technical and public universities, the extension of the retirement rule beyond the fifth year, and a one-off allowance payment.
He said the NEC carefully reviewed each of these concerns before reaching a decision to suspend the strike. Rev. Amoah also acknowledged the Education Minister’s role in facilitating negotiations and helping to address some of the association’s demands.
“As the Minister just said, we brought our grievances to him for redress, and he has so far helped us and facilitated the process for some of these grievances to be addressed,” he said.
Despite the progress achieved, the association maintains that discussions with government officials must continue until all outstanding concerns are resolved. The suspension of the strike will therefore allow members to return to their posts while negotiations remain ongoing.
Rev. Amoah emphasised that the decision was unanimously adopted by the NEC, reflecting the association’s assessment of the progress made through engagement with the government. He further explained that the NEC, which ranks second to Congress in GAUA’s decision-making structure, had the mandate to take the decision on behalf of the association.
The return to work is expected to help restore normal administrative activities and promote stability across public university campuses. “GAUA has suspended its strike action, and we are going back to the offices to complement the efforts of our colleagues on campus to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity on our university campuses,” he said.
