Academic activity at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is under severe strain as the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) escalates its strike action, causing major disruptions to mid-semester examinations.

Non-teaching staff — including cleaners, porters, and security personnel — have withdrawn their services in protest against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) refusal to recognise TEWU-GH’s representation on university councils.

This has resulted in significant operational challenges across campus, leaving students stranded and the academic calendar in jeopardy.

Chairman of KNUST TEWU-GH Charles Arthur stated unequivocally that the strike will persist until their demands are met.

These demands include the immediate withdrawal of GTEC’s letter permitting the rival group, TEWU-TUC, to represent staff on university councils, as well as a comprehensive verification of union membership at all public universities.

“They come to KNUST, they count us. We know that KNUST is still in Ghana, so TEWU-GHANA will lead here. You go to Legon, it’s still TUC who leads. That will bring, what do you call it, peace and harmony,” Mr Arthur stated.

He warned that the strike, if unresolved, risks not only the mid-semester exams but also the forthcoming main examinations.

“If nothing is done, this strike will continue and likely disrupt the main examination, which we will not allow, just as we did with the mid-semester. Mid-semester has already been scheduled, and we think that we have to go. The main examination — we will not allow that. And whatever they want to do, they can do it.”

In a strongly worded message, Mr Arthur reaffirmed the union’s commitment.

“If they want to kill us, we are prepared. Our members are here; they are prepared — they should kill all of us, and we’ll leave. If we are not Ghanaians and they want to treat us the way they want to treat us, if we are coming from Niger, they should tell us that we are Nigerians, and therefore this is how they will treat the Nigerian people.

“But if we are Ghanaians, then we assert that this strike will impact the main examination unless action is taken."

As tensions continue to mount, the future of thousands of students hangs in the balance. With no resolution in sight, calls are growing louder for university authorities and government officials to intervene urgently before the academic calendar suffers irreparable damage.