GAUA strike: GTEC orders senior university officials to resume work

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all senior management officials of public universities who have joined 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.

The directive, issued on Monday, August 17, 2026, follows concerns over the participation of senior university administrators in the industrial action and its potential impact on the operations of public universities.

According to GTEC, senior management officials occupy executive, managerial and policy-making positions that carry significant responsibilities to their respective institutions.

The Commission said these responsibilities may restrict their participation in industrial action under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

GTEC further argued that the involvement of senior management officials in the strike could create a conflict of interest, particularly when such officials are required to represent their universities in engagements with trade unions and ensure the continuity of essential institutional operations.

The Commission therefore instructed affected officials to resume their duties immediately.

GTEC has also directed Vice-Chancellors of public universities to identify 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.

The directive places responsibility on university authorities to monitor compliance and report affected officials to the Commission.

Beyond the participation of senior management officials, GTEC warned public universities against allowing the industrial action to disrupt essential institutional and student services.

The Commission specifically identified several services that should continue operating, including:

• End-of-semester examinations
• Auditing and financial operations
• Internet and telecommunications services
• Student portals and registration systems
• Healthcare services
• Cleaning and janitorial services
• Salary processing
• Finance and other essential payments

GTEC cautioned that any unlawful disruption of essential services could amount to a breach of the Labour Act and other applicable laws.

The directive comes as members of GAUA and TUSAAG continue their industrial action, which has reportedly begun affecting academic and administrative activities at some public universities.

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and other institutions have reportedly suspended scheduled examinations amid the ongoing action.

The disruption has raised concerns about the potential impact of the strike on students, particularly those preparing for or scheduled to take end-of-semester examinations.

GTEC has consequently urged members of GAUA and TUSAAG to exercise restraint and ensure that their industrial action remains within the confines of Ghana's labour laws.

The Commission's latest directive signals an attempt to balance the rights of university administrators to participate in lawful industrial action with the need to maintain essential academic, administrative and student services across Ghana's public tertiary institutions.