The Tertiary Education Workers’ Union, University of Ghana branch (TEWU-UG), has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), demanding the reversal of what it describes as an unfair and unjust decision regarding representation on the governing councils of public universities.
The protest follows ongoing confusion over which body TEWU-GH or TEWU-TUC has legitimate representation rights. Despite a series of consultations between TEWU-GH and TEWU-TUC, GTEC recently ruled in favour of TEWU-TUC, declaring it the sole representative of tertiary education workers on governing councils of traditional public universities.
Following this directive, GTEC instructed TEWU-GH members to refrain from participating as Council members even in instances where they have already been sworn in.
Speaking at a press conference held on June 24, National Chairman of TEWU-GH, Suleman Abdul Rahman, condemned the decision and accused GTEC of undermining democratic union representation and procedural fairness.
“Despite being the majority among workers in public traditional and technical universities, we have been unjustly sidelined, GTEC’s decision is not only a clear violation of democratic principles, but also a deliberate act of suppression against the will of the workers,” he said.
Rahman called for the immediate withdrawal of TEWU-TUC’s appointments and the recognition of TEWU-GH as the legitimate majority union on university councils.
He also urged the President, Chief of Staff, Minister of Education, Minister of Employment, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene to ensure fairness and restore due process in the governance of tertiary education.
“We once again call on Prof. Jinapor to reverse this unjust decision and restore TEWU-GH’s representation, failure to do so within seven days will compel the union to advise itself,” he added.
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Story by Edward Chika Ahiakwo|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Cindy Selasi Humade
