Ghana Telecom University Lecturers Declare Nationwide Indefinite Strike

Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) lecturers have today declared an indefinite strike on all campuses in the country over government’s failure to form a governing council for the school.

They are arguing that the absence of a governing council for the school has derailed the school from progressing in several key areas. Government has set up an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to run the affairs of the University in the absence of a governing council.

But according to the faculty members, some decisions taken by the IMC have not benefited the school. Hence their decision to go on an indefinite strike to compel government to as a matter of urgency constitute a governing council for them.

They have withdrawn all academic services on the Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, Koforidua and Ho campuses with immediate effect until government sets up the governing council to steer the affairs of the school.

The lecturers are also demanding the passing of the GTUC bill which has been in limbo since 2009 to regularize the University as a Public Institution

Speaking at a Press Conference at the Accra Campus earlier today, Samuel Kingsford Seglah who is chairman of the GTUC Lecturers Association reiterated that it has been a year since the IMC took over the school but as at now they do not even know the strategic plans of the committee to move the school forward.

“It has been about almost a year since the IMC took over and in this time we cannot tell the strategic direction of the IMC as far as managing the University is concerned”, Mr. Seglah said.

He continued; “Three issues will engage our attention in this discussion. The absence of a governing council, the passage of the GTUC bill and the removal or ending of the term of office of the IMC because we want a substantive management team in office. The absence of a governing council has affected the running of the University adversely. For instance certain promotions and key appointments have been pending for more than a year”.

They say the appointment of a President or Vice Chancellor is a function of the University Council and in the absence of the council it cannot be done at the moment. This they have bemoaned because it has not allowed for the smooth running of the University.

The indefinite strike action is set to remain in force until government constitute a governing council for the University and submits the GTUC bill to parliament for passage whiles taking steps to end the reign of the interim management team.