The Coalition of Concerned University Students Association (CoCUS) says it is ready to demonstrate against Government over its negligence during the UTAG strike.
The agitations of the university students come amidst the ongoing strike action by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) leading to the suspension of teaching and related activities.
The lead convener for the Coalition, George Kofi Abuah told CitiNews that the group will petition the presidency and other relevant bodies to intervene in the matter.
He said, “We have acquired all relevant requirements for the demonstration, we have approval from the Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service on our peaceful protest. Hopefully, by tomorrow [Tuesday] midnight, key details regarding the intended demonstration will be concluded by the close of the day and communicated. But as for now, we’re sure it will be held this week.”
“We already pleaded with the government to intervene. But we still haven’t heard from them. Does the government expect university students who have paid accommodation and school fees at exorbitant prices to sit idle all the while?” he added.
UTAG Strike: Students begin agitations as action enters the fourth week
A few days ago, UTAG’s Vice President of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Eric Kwabena Kyeh Abavare said called on President Akufo-Addo to intervene on the issue but nothing was done about the situation.
UTAG withdrew teaching and related activities due to their dissatisfaction with National Labour Commission (NLC) to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012.
The 2012 conditions of service placed the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42 but UTAG lamented that the current arrangement has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84
However, the National Labour Commission has summoned UTAG to court on Thursday, February 3, 2022, for refusing to call off the strike as directed by the Commission, thus, the labour commission is seeking an interlocutory injunction from the High Court in Accra to compel the lecturers to return to work.
The Executive Secretary of the NLC, Ofosu Asamoah said, “We have till Thursday to go to Court. So we will just wait to make our case. The Court will decide the next move. If indeed UTAG has a point as they insist, the Court will decide that.”
What matters is that whatever happens is in the best interest of Ghanaians. We are very confident of winning this case. UTAG is well aware of this,” Ofosu Asamoah further stated.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students will deliberate issues concerning the UTAG strike as it enters the fourth week.
A press statement signed by the NUGS president, Emmanuel Boakye Yiadom stated that the Union “shall hold a press conference on the UTAG strike and other issues on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.”
Most students have expressed their worry about the situation since the strike would affect the academic calendar which has already been shortened due to Covid-19.
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