Review ban on recruitment of lecturers – UTAG to gov’t

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has given government a two-week ultimatum to reconsider its ban on the recruitment of lecturers.

In July, 2016, President John Mahama indicated that financial clearance had been granted for the recruitment of over one thousand lecturers for the tertiary education sector.

But speaking at a press conference in Accra today [Thursday], President of UTAG, Harry Agbanu said the number is woefully inadequate hence must be reviewed.

“The vacancies that need to be filled by the University of Ghana, as regards all categories of staff stands at 1,200. Technical approval by Public Services Commission provided for 897 workers to be recruited. Surprisingly, financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance gives the university only 238 slots to be filled putting undue pressure on the few lecturers available.”

Mr. Harry Agbanu lamented that although the new academic year starts in August, the recruitment under the financial clearance, takes effect from November.

The Association is thus calling on government to lift the ban with immediate effect and allow Universities to operate in accordance with the Acts under which they were established.

“This is the standard practice all over the world. Why Ghana should be the only exception is difficult to comprehend. It is not proper to continue to stretch the capacities of the few dedicated staff of the universities without concern for their wellbeing.”

The president of the Association also called on management of the various tertiary institutions to consider scaling down drastically the number of fresh students being considered for admission this year.

–
By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana