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25.08.2016 General News

UTAG gives govt two weeks ultimatum to reverse recruitment ban

By MyJoyOnline
UTAG gives govt two weeks ultimatum to reverse recruitment ban
25.08.2016 LISTEN

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a two-week ultimatum to government to lift the ban on recruitment of lecturers in the various universities.

At a news conference held in Accra, UTAG President, Harry Agbanu, said the universities are currently faced with the problem of inadequate staff which is impacting negatively on their work.

He said this has created the situation where the few lecturers in the universities are being overstretched.

Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, told a congregation in November 2015 that the university would no longer employ lecturers because government has denied it clearance to do so.

According to him, “management has been forced to put a temporary freeze on all employment until such a time that the University of Ghana receives financial clearance from government on the appointment of staff.”

Later in 2016, while addressing the maiden graduation ceremony of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, President John Mahama said his government has given approval for the recruitment of 1, 18 lecturers.

The decision, he said, would boost the departments and faculties of the nation’s universities.

Even though UTAG welcomed this gesture, it said the challenges would still persist if government does not lift the ban in its entirety.

Citing an example, Harry Agbanu said the University of Ghana would need a new staff strength of 1,200 but the “Technical approval by Public Services Commission provided for 897 workers to be recruited.”

However, “financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance gives the university only 238 slots to be filled putting undue pressure on the few lecturers available.”

He said the standard practice the world over is for universities to be given unbridled opportunities to employ more hands as and when they need them.

“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,” he said.

UTAG has appealed to government to lift the ban so that universities will operate in accordance with their establishing documents.

The Association also called on management of the universities to consider scaling down the intake of first-year students to match the staff strength in the various departments and faculties.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]

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