Frequent strikes impede academic progress - students.

Students of Takoradi Polytechnic have stated that the frequent strikes by members of Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) have adversely affected academic work and compound existing problems confronting polytechnics. They said already polytechnic education had been saddled with numerous problems and strikes must not be allowed to compound the situation to the detriment of students.

These sentiments were expressed by a number of students who spoke to the Ghana News Agency on the latest strike action embarked upon by members of POTAG on Thursday.

Referring to the cause of the strike they said, "We don't understand why issues which we think can be dealt with without flexing of muscles should be allowed to go this far".

The students made an urgent appeal to the government and POTAG and related institutions to find lasting solution to the impasse "so that the academic calendar will not be derailed again". They said previous strikes by POTAG members affected them in several ways and expressed the hope that the problem would be addressed to enable the striking teachers to return to the classroom. "The longer they stay away the more we suffer". The school was quiet and only few students were on campus when the preparing to leave.

Most of the final year students were however on campus hoping that very soon, amicable solution would be found to the impasse for academic work to resume. POTAG declared an indefinite strike after an emergency national congress at Cape Coast on Wednesday, citing "lackadaisical, piecemeal and ad hoc" approach to their demand for improved conditions of service.