The striking polytechnic lecturers of Ghana are demanding an apology from the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of tertiary education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as a condition to resume duty.

According to members of POTAG, Ablakwa’s claim that government is considering withholding their salaries over their protracted strike action is disrespectful.

The Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana is on an indefinite strike over their book and research allowance which is in arrears. Several attempts by the Ghana government to get them back to the classrooms have hit a snag.

The deputy education minister in reaction to the over 40-day industrial action hinted that the Ministry may have to freeze the salaries of members of the association to compel them to call off their strike. However, POTAG said the comment was made in a bad taste.

Speaking to Accra-based Adom FM, the national president of POTAG, James Dugrah, said their members may decide to return to the lecture halls if an appropriate apology is rendered by the deputy minister.

“The matters were being resolved, but the intransigent position of some government functionaries is pushing POTAG; the comments of the deputy minister of education minister specifically,” he said.

He added: “If we were to call off the strike, he will go out there and say it’s because he threatened us.”