GAUA Strike: UHAS, other public universities suspend exams

The ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has disrupted examinations at some public universities, with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and other institutions reportedly suspending scheduled papers.

The industrial action stems from concerns over what GAUA describes as disparities in Market Premium and related allowances between Teaching Senior Members and Non-Teaching Senior Members.



Speaking to Channel One TV on August 16, 2026, GAUA General Secretary Charles Aidoo said the second phase of the strike, which begins this week, could result in further disruptions to university examinations.

“Some of the universities are writing their exams tomorrow, and there may be some disruptions in our examination. We are told in UHAS, for example, the examination has been suspended. In some other universities, the examination has been suspended,” he said.

Aidoo also raised concerns about what he described as procedural errors in the conduct of examinations at some universities.

He said every university is expected to follow established procedures when conducting examinations, but GAUA had received information that some of these procedures were not being followed.

“We want to tell the general public that the integrity of the examinations being conducted in our universities is questionable, because the procedures and the processes leading to the examinations may be sublime,” he said.

The association has also raised concerns about proposed changes to the salary levels of some senior university staff, including registrars and senior medical officers.

According to Aidoo, some affected members are being asked to move from salary level 23L to 22H, despite having been on the higher level since 2010.

“From 2010 up to now, you are telling our members to drop down the salary level. Meanwhile, you are telling us that you are bringing a new independent employment commission, but you want to disadvantage us as we move into the independent employment commission. And we feel that this is hugely unfair,” he said.

He further questioned the retirement arrangements for university staff, alleging that non-teaching staff are taken off when they reach 60, while other categories of staff are allowed to remain.

He described the situation as discriminatory and questioned why different retirement arrangements should apply to university employees.

According to him, the issue has existed for more than 75 years, and GAUA is concerned about attempts to change the conditions of service of its members.

Aidoo said the association had raised the concerns with the former Education Minister, who set up a committee to investigate the matter, but no resolution was reached.

He said GAUA had also engaged the Minister of Labour and the Education Minister over their grievances

“We've complained to the Minister of Labour. We've complained to the minister for education. Nothing has been done about it. We've spoken about this several times, but it appears nobody wants to listen,” he said.

On the proposed Independent Employment Commission, Aidoo said GAUA could not wait until 2028 for the commission to address the concerns of its members.

“What happens now, between now and 2028? Should we sit down for our members to be disadvantaged?” he asked.

He said the Association had been raising the issues for more than four years and had previously signed a memorandum of agreement with the former Education Minister, but the agreement did not resolve the concerns.

GAUA is expected to meet the Minister of Education on Tuesday, August 17, 2026, as part of efforts to resolve the dispute.

However, Aidoo said the association would only consider calling off the strike if its concerns over fairness and equity were addressed.

“We are calling for fairness. We are calling for equity. We are calling for fairness and equity,” he added.

GAUA embarked on an industrial action on August 11, 2026, following unresolved concerns of salary arrears and delays in the implementation of welfare packages.

JKB/VPO

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