Gordon Awandare warns GAUA strike could collapse UG academic calendar

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Gordon Awandare, has warned that the university’s 2026/2027 academic calendar is at risk of collapse. The warning follows a strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) that has now lasted more than two months. The industrial action has halted critical administrative functions across the institution, including student registration, which is essential for the commencement of the new semester.

University management is particularly concerned as teaching is scheduled to begin on October 19. Professor Awandare noted that if the strike extends into next week, it may be impossible to maintain the planned schedule. The disruption has already affected access to vital university services and created a bottleneck in the registration process for both new and returning students. Management has appealed to the government for an urgent resolution to prevent a total shutdown of academic activities.

The strike, which began in August, is driven by unresolved grievances concerning conditions of service and disparities in allowances. GAUA National General Secretary Charles Jojo Aidoo reported that two months of negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) have yielded minimal progress. According to the association, many of their concerns regarding non-monetary benefits and administrative disparities have persisted since 2008 without being adequately addressed by successive governments.

Despite the current stalemate, GAUA leadership has expressed hope that ongoing discussions with the FWSC might reach a breakthrough by the end of the month. However, the association maintains that its members remain frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations. As the October 19 deadline approaches, the integrity of the University of Ghana’s academic timeline depends on a swift agreement between the government and the university administrators.