Senior Staff of Public Universities in Ghana Begin Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Allowances

On May 21, 2025, senior staff members across Ghana's public universities began an indefinite strike, citing the government's continued failure to honor agreements related to unpaid allowances and pension contributions. The industrial action has significantly disrupted administrative and support services, affecting day-to-day operations on university campuses nationwide.

The strike is being led by the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Technical University Administrators Association. These groups have long expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of issues affecting their members' welfare. Their latest move comes after several unheeded warnings and meetings aimed at resolving the ongoing disputes.

At the heart of the matter is a six-month-old agreement with the government that remains unfulfilled. The unions are particularly concerned about the non-payment of Tier-2 pension contributions, which they say has left retirees from 2020 to 2023 without their full entitlements. Many of these individuals are reportedly in financial distress due to the absence of their lump-sum retirement benefits.

Adding to the frustration is the removal of overtime allowances, which unions argue was implemented without proper consultation and in violation of existing collective agreements. These changes, which came into effect late last year following directives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, have compounded the financial burden on senior staff.

Another unresolved issue involves the delay in disbursing various agreed allowances, including the Vehicle Maintenance Allowance. Although communication with the Ministry of Finance has taken place, the necessary funds have not been released, leaving staff in limbo and deepening mistrust between the unions and government stakeholders.

With no concrete resolution in sight, the strike has halted a range of essential functions within the universities. Administrative processing, academic support, and general campus operations have all been affected. University leadership and students alike are now facing the real-world impact of a stalled higher education system.

As of now, the government has not made any formal public response to the strike. Union leaders have made it clear they will not return to work until their concerns are addressed and the agreed terms are fully honored. The situation highlights the urgent need for meaningful engagement and timely action to prevent further damage to Ghana's public university system.