UG, KNUST postpone reopening indefinitely over GAUA strike

The University of Ghana (UG) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have indefinitely postponed the reopening of the 2026/2027 academic year as the nationwide strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) continues to disrupt university administration.

The two universities were scheduled to reopen on October 12 and 13, 2026, respectively, but have deferred the dates until further notice.

In a statement, UG management confirmed that the reopening, originally scheduled for Monday, October 12, had been postponed, with a revised date to be communicated later.

The statement, signed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Gordon A. Awandare, expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the decision.

“Management sincerely regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the patience and understanding of students as arrangements are made for the reopening,” the statement said.

Despite the postponement, UG management urged students to complete their academic registration online in accordance with instructions contained in an earlier communication.

It said completing the process would help students secure their places for classes and qualify to participate in the random bed allocation exercise scheduled to take place soon.

KNUST also announced an indefinite postponement of its reopening in a statement signed by Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, Deputy Registrar at the University Relations Office.

“This decision has become necessary in view of the ongoing strike action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and its impact on the University’s effective operations and administration. Students, parents/guardians, and all other stakeholders are kindly advised to take note of this development,” the statement said.

The university added that further information on the revised reopening date would be communicated in due course and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

GAUA strike enters third month

The latest postponements follow an industrial dispute that has left administrative operations at public universities under pressure for more than two months.

GAUA declared a nationwide strike on August 10, 2026, after suspending an earlier industrial action following assurances from the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.

However, negotiations with the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) have failed to resolve the outstanding issues, prolonging the strike.

The association says the government has yet to address six to seven grievances, including the payment of negotiated and approved allowances and disparities in allowances and conditions of service.

GAUA National General Secretary, Charles Jojo Aidoo, said none of the concerns had been resolved after two months of negotiations, adding that most of the issues were not even monetary.

Dispute over allowances and conditions of service

A major point of contention is a 2012 National Labour Commission Compulsory Arbitration Award, which placed members of GAUA and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) on parity with members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).

The award fixed the Interim Market Premium (IMP) at 114 per cent of basic salary.

GAUA argues that successive governments have since increased the IMP for UTAG and the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) without making corresponding adjustments for senior non-teaching staff, resulting in disparities in remuneration.

The association is also seeking the restoration of salary-scale placements for directors, deputy registrars and other grades, a one-time research allowance and the introduction of a distinct conditions-of-service framework.

Emphasising the absence of a separate framework, GAUA has stated that “From 2008, we don't have any conditions of service.”

Administrative services disrupted

The prolonged strike has affected essential administrative functions at public universities, including student registration, accommodation allocation, financial administration, legal services and library operations.

The disruptions have also created difficulties for students seeking to complete online registration for the 2026/2027 academic year, prompting UG and KNUST to apologise for the challenges.

With both universities now postponing their reopening dates indefinitely, students and parents are awaiting further announcements as efforts to resolve the dispute continue.