General News of Tuesday, 4 November 2003

Source: GNA

KNUST SRC tells govt to satisfy UTAG to avoid strike

Kumasi, Nov 4, GNA - The Students Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Tuesday asked the government to satisfy the demands of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) to avoid a possible strike action.

The SRC said it found it surprising that the government has not satisfied its part of the agreement at the negotiations that asked UTAG to go back to lecturers, while government makes provision for UTAG's demands by 31st October 2003.

A statement signed by, Mr Samuel Kwasi Ahenkorah, SRC President, said the students can foresee a possible strike action by UTAG again should their terms not be met and that a strike action would be unfortunate since its repercussions would be enormous.

''KNUST has sacrificed a lot to be in tune with the academic calendar and an unfortunate response from Tuesday's meeting is likely to disrupt the academic calendar again.''

The SRC said it finds this unfortunate and unfair to students, especially students of KNUST should this happen.

''We the students of KNUST wish to state categorically that it is necessary the government sees the need in meeting the demands of UTAG important to students and the nation as a whole.''

The SRC said should the meeting end with an unfavourable response students of KNUST would take all the necessary steps to safeguard their interests.