Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II has admonished the University Teachers  Association of Ghana (UTAG) and other labour unions to be measured in their expectations of conditions of service.

UTAG embarked on a 5-week strike over poor conditions of service.

Though Otumfuor acknowledged a good compensation for members of UTAG, he pointed out Ghana’s economy has also been a victim of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war.

“I am not here to apportion blame for this unfortunate incident, but as the Good Book says in Luke 10:7, the labourer deserves his wages, therefore, I urge the Government to continue to ensure that equity is manifestly done and the citizenry, fully assured and satisfied.

“In the same breadth, I call on UTAG, and for that matter, all other unions on campus, and civil society at large, to be measured in their expectations, particularly at this time that the global economy is battling the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war,” he said.

He was speaking at the 2021 special congregation.

He thanked the government for extending asphalt overlay to other satellite campuses of the University.
Whiles hinting the first phase of the KNUST Teaching Hospital will be completed in October this year, he asked the government to include the 2nd phase in this year’s budget.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson revealed the University has rolled out new postgraduate research programmes to accelerate the development of the nation.

“KNUST continues to introduce new research degree programmes that would impact the development of our dear nation and the lives of the citizenry,” she said.

The university graduated a total of 4,712 students made up of 1455 undergraduates and 3,257 postgraduates.

In terms of gender, the University is graduating 1,652 females representing 35.06%.