President of the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG), Christian Philip Armah, has demanded that government and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) resolve the current impasse and ensure teaching and learning for the academic year begin.

UTAG began its strike action on January 10, and has since refused to return to post despite legal actions against it by the National Labour Commission (NLC).

For 21 days, lectures have not commenced for several public tertiary institutions such as the University of Ghana, Legon; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, although the academic year has begun.

In a tweet, Christian Philip Armah called on UTAG and government to get students back into the classroom on behalf of university students.

He insisted that students, despite paying their fees, are being denied the right to education.

According to him, students can no longer bear the frustration as the high cost of hostels empties students’ pockets.

As leaders, we cannot contain the frustration of our students which keep growing by day.
Expensive private hostels, rent and other expenses are taking all our money.

— Christian Philip Armah (@CPArmah) January 30, 2022

“Get University students back into the classroom. We have paid fees, and we demand to be taught. Employer/employee, we cannot continue to suffer because of your fight. It’s sad what has happened in the University of Ghana to a level 100 student. We belong to the classroom.”

He added: “As leaders, we cannot contain the frustration of our students, which keep growing day by day. Expensive private hostels, rent and other expenses are taking all our money.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Dr Osei Adutwum, has described the ongoing strike as unfortunate and assured that all relevant channels would be used to reach an amicable solution.

But President of the University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) says lecturers cannot continue to hold negotiations in futility with the government.

According to Dr Samuel Nkumbaan, the Association since 2019 has held negotiations with government which has yielded no impact.

UTAG strike and consequences

The shutdown of public universities is still not off the table as lecturers continue to withdraw their services.

Although the National Labour Commission has sued UTAG for failing to comply with the directive to call off its strike, UTAG has vowed not to call off the industrial action until its demands for improved conditions are met.

According to the Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of UTAG, Professor Ransford Gyampo, lecturers are ready to go to jail and forfeit their salaries in their fight for better conditions of service.

The case is expected to be heard on Thursday, February 3.