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The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all senior management officials of public universities participating in the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) to immediately return to work.
In a directive issued to public universities on Monday, August 17, GTEC said senior management officials occupy executive, managerial and policy-making positions that carry specific responsibilities to their institutions.
The Commission said such responsibilities may limit their participation in industrial action under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
GTEC further warned that the involvement of senior management officials in the strike could create conflicts of interest, particularly when they are required to represent their institutions in engagements with trade unions and oversee the continuity of essential university operations.
The Commission has therefore instructed Vice-Chancellors to submit a register of senior management officials who have participated in the industrial action and failed to comply with the directive.
“Vice-Chancellors are required to submit to the Commission, within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of this directive, a register of all Senior Management Officials who have participated in the industrial action and have failed to comply with this directive,” GTEC stated.
Essential university services must continue
GTEC also directed public universities to ensure that the ongoing strike does not disrupt essential institutional and student services.
The services include end-of-semester examinations, auditing, internet and telecommunications services, student portals and registration systems, healthcare, cleaning and janitorial services, finance, salary processing and other essential payments.
The Commission cautioned that any unlawful disruption of essential services could constitute a breach of the Labour Act and other applicable laws.
The directive comes as the industrial action by GAUA and TUSAAG continues to affect academic and administrative activities at some public universities.
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and other institutions have reportedly suspended scheduled examinations as a result of the strike.
GTEC has meanwhile appealed to members of GAUA and TUSAAG to exercise restraint and ensure that their industrial action remains within the confines of the law.
The Commission said public universities must also take the necessary steps to protect essential services and minimise the impact of the industrial action on students and other stakeholders.