The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has reactivated its nationwide strike effective Monday, August 10, 2026, over what it describes as persistent disparities in market premium and related allowances between teaching and non-teaching senior members in public universities.

The decision was announced in a communiqué presented by the association's newly sworn-in National President, Rev. Kwaku Karikari Amoah of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), at the close of GAUA's 2026 National Congress in Sunyani on Friday, August 7, 2026.

The congress, held on the theme "Building agile universities: the role of administrative and professional staff," brought together members from public universities across the country to deliberate on issues affecting their welfare and to swear in new national executives.

Delegates wore red armbands throughout the congress to protest the unfairness, while various speakers highlighted the critical role of university administrators, arguing that their contributions are often undervalued in decisions on remuneration.

In the communiqué, Congress expressed concern over what it called widening disparities in market premium.

"Congress noted with grave concern that the recent adjustments to market premium have created significant inequities between teaching and non-teaching senior members, despite both categories operating within the same analogous senior member structure," the communiqué stated.

While reaffirming its support for improved conditions of service for teaching staff, GAUA insisted that "such improvements must not result in unfair and discriminatory treatment of non-teaching senior members".

The statement recalled that following the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in 2012, the market premium for all senior members was harmonised to ensure equity across the various categories of senior members, adding that "no upwards adjustments have been made since then until the recent review in 2026".

According to the Association, although an agreement signed with the government on April 22, 2026, secured a 40 per cent increase in the consolidated market premium and non-basic allowance for non-teaching senior members, the disparity remains substantial between the benefits received by teaching and non-teaching senior members.

It said the average teaching senior member now receives about GH¢10,000 in market premium, compared with approximately GH¢4,718 for a non-teaching senior member, "within what remains an analogous paid structure".

"It is particularly troubling that the lowest-ranked teaching senior member now receives a higher market premium than the highest-ranked non-teaching member, a registrar or a finance officer, even though both categories were placed at the same market premium level when the SSSS was introduced in 2012."

The communiqué described the situation as "inconsistent with the principles of fairness, internal equity, and the objectives of the Single Spine Pay Policy", warning that "the growing inequity threatens staff morale, industrial harmony, and effective administration of Ghana's public universities."

GAUA also disclosed that it petitioned the National Labour Commission and other relevant state institutions on July 16, 2026, seeking intervention but had yet to receive a response.

The Association maintained that its campaign is "not directed against teaching senior members" but rather seeks "equitable treatment for all senior members based on transparent, objective and consistent principles".

The communique called on the government and all relevant stakeholders to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and equal recognition of the invaluable contribution of all senior members to the development of Ghana's public universities.

Consequently, Congress resolved that "effective Monday, 10 August 2026, the strike action previously suspended by the Association is hereby reactivated with immediate effect", adding that the industrial action will continue pending "the satisfactory resolution of the issues in dispute".