Ghana University Administrators call for fair treatment

GAUA, the Ghana Association of University Administrators is pushing for fair treatment and increased representation within the university governance structure and on the national level,also. This call for equity is led by the newly elected President of the GAUA, Mr. Festus Nyame, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).Emphasizing the broad scope of GAUA, he stated that in referring to administrators, we are not limiting it to registrars alone. Accountants, procurement officers, lawyers, IT staff, architects, quantity surveyors, medical doctors, pharmacists, and all senior members of the university who perform various roles, excluding teaching, are encompassed in the term, administrators. Mr. Nyame acknowledged that this group plays an essential role in maintaining the university’s efficient functioning.

Mr. Festus Nyame, a lawyer by profession, in emphasizing the importance of representation in university governance, stated,”KNUST is meant to have unions represented on the governing council, but over the years, GAUA has been overlooked, while our teaching colleagues have had three representatives. This contradicts the principles of corporate governance, and the university should be aware of this oversight. We have engaged the university management on this issue and have also submitted a petition to the Council Chairman. We anticipate that this inequity will be rectified promptly to preserve peace on our campus.”

“Recently, the government has granted a tax waiver to those who teach, but the Ghana Revenue Authority wants to impose taxes on the staff who do not teach. The same group of people receives allowances, and the GRA decides to tax one group and leave the other untaxed. This produces instability on campus.”

He further mentioned that GAUA members have been placed lower on the Single Spine Salary scale compared to their teaching counterparts.Additionally, the universities have a 5-tier structure for lecturers that allows them to retire as professors, whereas administrators and professionals have only a 4-tier structure. meaning they get a less substantial pension.

Mr. Nyame cautioned about the potential repercussions if GAUA members’ concerns are not addressed.”If GAUA members opt for an extended strike, our hospitals will cease operations, our IT system will shut down, our council offices will close, our administration office will shut down, our primary schools will shut down, our accounting office will shut down, and nobody will be paid; the entire university will grind to a halt.”

“The government should treat every group on campus fairly. We strive to maintain stability and peace on our campuses, as we believe that we are the managers of the university.”

He advocated for equal treatment for all university staff, encouraging the university administration and the government to refrain from unfair treatment. He expressed that his drive to lead GAUA arises from a wish to support its members in attaining their professional objectives and ensuring they receive the rewards they deserve, which he is duly advocating for.