The Technical University Teachers' Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has declared an indefinite strike effective today, October 1, 2026, following what it describes as government's failure to resolve two critical labour concerns.

Addressing a press conference at Ho Technical University, National President Prof. Deodat E. Adenutsi said the decision was a unanimous resolution of TUTAG Congress held on September 24, 2026, after months of unsuccessful engagements with government agencies.

The Association said the strike follows concerns it first raised publicly on August 14, 2026, in Accra.

The current strike rests on two substantive concerns:

1. Unpaid Post-Retirement Contracts:

TUTAG says some of its members engaged on post-retirement contracts have remained unpaid for over 27 months despite rendering services under valid contracts.

The Association said it has exhausted all avenues, including meetings and formal correspondence with the Ministries of Education and Finance, GTEC, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the National Labour Commission. While duty bearers have acknowledged the obligation to pay, no tangible solution has been provided.

"Tragically, some of these affected colleagues have died while awaiting the payment of their remuneration," Prof. Adenutsi said. He described the deaths as underscoring "the human cost of prolonged non-payment."

TUTAG is demanding immediate settlement of all verified outstanding remuneration and a clear, written payment timetable, including for deceased colleagues through lawful representatives.

2. Unilateral Variation of Scheme of Service:

TUTAG accuses government agencies of unilaterally varying the agreed Scheme of Service issued on October 8, 2021, without consultation.

On librarians, the Association cited inconsistent interpretations of eligibility for academic librarian status, creating uncertainty over conditions of service and remuneration parity. It is demanding resolution of classification discrepancies and payment of market premium and arrears.

On Assistant Lecturers/Assistant Research Fellows, TUTAG objects to a GTEC directive of July 31, 2025, requiring a completed PhD before re-designation as Lecturer/Research Fellow. The Association argues the agreed 2021 Scheme requires only PhD enrolment alongside service, teaching performance and publication criteria.

Scope of Strike

Prof. Adenutsi declared that effective immediately, all TUTAG members are to withdraw services with regard to teaching, supervision of students' research, and submission of examination marks indefinitely.

Members will, however, continue to perform other professional duties including attending meetings, serving on boards/committees, conducting research and rendering community service.

"We recognise the disruption industrial action causes to students, families and university communities. As teachers, we take that consequence seriously. We also have a responsibility to defend the conditions that enable our members to teach, conduct research and serve their institutions with dignity," he said.

Source: 3news