UTAG demands swift gov’t approval to recruit 1,500 lecturers
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) is urgently calling on the government to approve the recruitment of 1,500 new lecturers to address critical staff shortages in public universities nationwide.
UTAG warns that the growing deficit of academic staff—exacerbated by retirements, resignations, and emigration—is stretching the current lecturers beyond their limits, impacting teaching quality and student supervision.
At a recent press conference, a representative from UTAG’s University of Ghana chapter described the situation as dire. “The student-to-lecturer ratio keeps worsening each semester, and this is showing in declining academic standards,” they said.
The association stressed that the heavy workloads on existing faculty members are hampering their ability to deliver quality teaching, research, and mentorship—fundamental elements of higher education excellence.
“This is not just about filling vacancies; it’s about safeguarding the future of Ghana’s tertiary education system. Without enough lecturers, our students will suffer,” UTAG warned.
UTAG is urging the Ministries of Finance and Education to remove restrictions on public sector recruitment and prioritize the hiring of academic staff in upcoming government approvals. Additionally, the association calls on university management and governing councils to engage proactively with the government to resolve the issue before it inflicts lasting harm on Ghana’s education sector.
