Technical University Administrators Launch Nationwide Strike Over 17-Month Unpaid Research Allowance

The Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike effective Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in protest of the government’s failure to pay a negotiated One-Time Research Allowance now overdue for 17 months.

The industrial action will completely withdraw administrative services across all 10 Technical Universities in Ghana, effectively halting critical operations including:

Admissions and student registration

Examination processing and results release

Financial disbursements and payroll

Human resource functions (promotions, recruitment, discipline)

The strike follows a July 10, 2024 agreement between TUSAAG and the government for the payment of the research allowance — a contractual obligation meant to support mandatory research and publications required for career advancement of senior administrators.

“The continued non-payment constitutes a blatant breach of agreement and demonstrates a lack of respect for the essential contributions of administrators to tertiary education in Ghana,” TUSAAG stated.

Fruitless Talks with Government

TUSAAG says it has exhausted all avenues for dialogue:

Multiple engagements with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) yielded no firm commitment.

Repeated requests for meetings with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu have been ignored or deferred.

“Letters, formal requests, and repeated attempts to meet with the Minister have gone unanswered,” the association said.

Major Disruptions Expected

The strike will paralyze operations at institutions including:

Accra Technical University

Kumasi Technical University

Takoradi Technical University

Tamale Technical University

Cape Coast Technical University

Koforidua Technical University

Ho Technical University

Sunyani Technical University

Bolgatanga Technical University

Wa Technical University

Thousands of students and staff will face immediate disruptions to the academic calendar.

TUSAAG Open to Talks — But Only With Action

Despite the hardline stance, TUSAAG says the strike is a last resort and remains open to immediate and sincere dialogue.

“This action is aimed at compelling the attention and action that previous appeals have failed to secure,” the association said.

The strike comes amid broader concerns over delayed allowances and welfare issues in Ghana’s public tertiary institutions.