The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) says it has been compelled to embark on industrial action after years of what it describes as unfair disparities in allowances between teaching and non-teaching staff in public universities.

The Association began an indefinite strike on Monday, August 10, 2026, directing its members to withdraw their services until their concerns over remuneration and other conditions of service are addressed.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse on Monday, August 10, GAUA General Secretary, Charles Kojo Aidoo, said the association has historically avoided industrial action but believes the current situation requires its members to take a stronger position.

“GAUA has not gone on strike for so many years. They don't go on strike, but we believe that this is the time for us to make our voice heard. And we are being taken for granted for far too long,” he said.

Mr Aidoo cited disparities in market premiums between teaching and non-teaching staff as one of the major concerns behind the strike.

He said an assistant lecturer, who may be newly employed and still on probation, receives a market premium of about GH¢7,400, while the registrar of a university receives approximately GH¢6,000.

He added that the director of finance of a university also receives a market premium of about GH¢6,000.

“The person takes much more market premium than the registrar and director of finance of the university. And we believe that this is unfair,” he said.

Mr Aidoo said the disparity between teaching and non-teaching staff has become increasingly wide and could eventually affect the ability of universities to attract and retain professionals.

He argued that remuneration should reflect the responsibilities, skills, experience and qualifications attached to each position.

The GAUA General Secretary stressed that the association's concerns should not be interpreted as an attempt to compete with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).

“It is not about UTAG. UTAG has negotiated for their market premium. We are also saying that. They are also part of the architecture of the university. We are professionals doing our work in the university. Our work should also be valued.”

He said professional staff within universities, including accountants, architects and other specialists, are required to possess relevant professional qualifications in addition to their academic credentials.

Mr Aidoo explained that an accountant working in a university, for instance, is expected to be professionally qualified, while architects are required to meet professional standards before they can undertake certain responsibilities.

He therefore believes their remuneration should adequately reflect their professional expertise and responsibilities.

GAUA says the widening disparity could have implications for staff retention, particularly if experienced professionals continue to feel undervalued compared with other categories of university employees.

Mr Aidoo warned that failure to address the situation could eventually result in a shortage of experienced professional staff within public universities.

He maintained that the association is not demanding preferential treatment but is seeking a remuneration structure that appropriately reflects the responsibilities and professional competencies of its members.

The association is therefore calling for urgent engagement with the relevant authorities to review the allowance structure and address what it considers to be longstanding inequities.

GAUA says it remains prepared to engage stakeholders to resolve the dispute but insists that its members' concerns can no longer be ignored.