Thursday , 11th April 2013

Appeal to UTAG to return to the lecture halls

The Students Representation Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana, wish to add its voice to the current impasse between the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG). This seeming never ending situation is having very precarious toll on the academic situation on the various University campuses. It has the potential of doubling the work load of students and can even throw the academic calendars of the various Universities off gear.

Unfortunately, as a result of the ground suffering when two elephants engage in a fight, ordinary and innocent students who have paid their fees to be thought are the worse hit. This we think is unfair and most unfortunate. We therefore wish to remind the UTAG of the role they play in our lives as lecturers. Having monitored the situation, we wish to appeal with all humility to our lecturers to consider the payment plan being proposed by government and return to the lecture rooms. We ask so not because we think the lecturers are being insensitive, neither do we think the FWSC is blameless, but we think our most loyal and hardworking lecturers have stated their stance enough to the attention of Ghanaians.

As a result, we wish to remind government of the numerous agreements and communiques they have signed with labour unions which were never respected. We hope the three time payment plan being proposed would be strictly and religiously adhered to. We will be monitoring the situation keenly to make sure our hardworking lecturers are not short changed and disrespected. We end by appealing once again to UTAG to as difficult as it is, reconsider their decision and take the deal being proposed by government. It is our fervent hope that cool heads prevail on this situation, so that an amicable resolution is arrived at so that this issue is solved once and for all in order for students to enjoy the teaching services they have paid for.. Signed EDMOND KOMBAT (SRC – PRESIDENT) 0240944005