Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has called on the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and other senior university staff to suspend their ongoing strike, as the government makes a partial payment of GH¢396 million out of the estimated GH¢1 billion owed in Tier Two pension arrears inherited from the previous administration.
The strike, which has disrupted academic activities at public universities nationwide, is over delays in the payment of outstanding Tier Two pension contributions and retirement arrangements for academic staff.
Speaking at Jubilee House during the presentation of a Transition Committee report on the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Minister Iddrisu said the remaining GH¢600 million is currently being processed for payment.
He urged the striking staff to consider the government’s efforts, stating, “Let me use this opportunity to call on the striking senior staff members and members of UTAG to call off the strike action. Understandably, you have two legitimate issues. One, outstanding payment of tier two pensions. That has been done partly. We inherited about one billion. As of this afternoon, the comptroller had paid about 396 million Ghana cedis, leaving about 600. And that is also in process.”
On the issue of retirement arrangements, the Minister added: “I will be coming back to you on the retirement, the provisions of the constitution on the retirement age of 60, and allowing those of them in academia to be able to end their academic calendar without any disruption.”
The government said it remains committed to resolving the arrears while safeguarding academic freedom and uninterrupted teaching schedules.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
