University Senior Staff suspend strike after allowance approval
Three major university staff unions have suspended their industrial action following the Ministry of Finance’s approval of revised conditions of service, particularly adjustments to their allowances.
The Senior Staff Association–Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) announced the suspension in a joint statement on Thursday, May 23, 2025.
The unions had declared an indefinite strike earlier this month to protest what they described as the government’s persistent failure to implement key components of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on November 13, 2024. Central to their demands were adjustments to their Tier-2 pension contributions, payment of vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances, and general improvements in working conditions.
Their strike disrupted administrative and academic services across several public universities and technical institutions.
However, the latest intervention from the Ministry of Finance, which included the formal approval of the proposed allowances, appears to have de-escalated the situation. According to the unions, this decisive step by the government formed the basis for their decision to suspend the strike with immediate effect.
“Following fruitful engagements and receipt of official communication from the Ministry of Finance affirming the approval of our revised allowances, we have resolved to suspend our industrial action,” the statement said.
The National Labour Commission (NLC) had earlier directed the unions to call off the strike, citing breaches of the Labour Act. Although FUSSAG and TUAAG appeared before the Commission for mediation, SSA-UoG was absent from the initial hearing. Despite that, all three unions have now collectively agreed to resume work, allowing for the full restoration of academic and administrative activities.
Chairman of the Senior Staff Association–Universities of Ghana, Zakaria Mohammed, commended members for their resilience and solidarity throughout the standoff but urged the government to expedite the implementation of all agreed terms.
“We appreciate the support of our members and the understanding of the general public. However, we caution that this is only a suspension, not a termination of the strike. Should there be further delays or breaches, we will be compelled to resume our action,” he warned.
The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) have welcomed the decision, expressing hope that the suspension will create room for ongoing dialogue and durable solutions to recurring labour tensions in the tertiary sector.
University management teams across the country have also urged staff to return to work promptly to ensure that academic calendars can be realigned with minimal disruption to students.
With the strike now suspended, attention turns to the swift implementation of the revised allowances and the restoration of confidence between the government and tertiary education unions.
