The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) have suspended their nationwide strikes.

The strikes which brought many universities to a standstill started on September 20, when TEWU joined other unions in protest against the government's failure to address issues like vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances, along with delayed Tier 2 pension contributions.

GAUA also began their strike on September 18 over unpaid allowances, despite a prior agreement with the government.

Speaking to JoyNews, GAUA's National President, Michael Awusu Ansah, warned that if their demands are not met within three weeks, they may resume the industrial action.

• Read also: Education sector unions to meet Minister on Tuesday amid strike

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) has today reviewed the development and I have approved the suspension of our strike with effect from Monday. 

“Within three weeks, a technical team should begin work on the concerns reached so that the proper people that have the mandate to decide for the government are at the table so that issues can be addressed and resolutions meet as soon as possible,” he said.

Similarly, TEWU's National Chair, Salamatu Braimah, stressed that the government must resolve their outstanding concerns or face the possibility of another strike.

“Currently what is outstanding is nine months of our tier 2 contribution. That is from January 2024 to September 2024. And so we are giving government by the close of this month. If those monies are not paid to our fund manager to invest then we shall resume the strike,” she said. 

Although TEWU and GAUA have suspended their strikes with hopes that the government will resolve their concerns, other unions, including the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), remain on strike over various demands.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has pledged to address the unions’ grievances.

However, labour experts are urging the government to act swiftly, warning that the ongoing strikes are having a significant negative impact on the education system.