University activities across Ghana face continued disruption as the university staff strike enters its second week. The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed striking university unions – SSA-UoG, TUAAG, and FUSSAG – to immediately call off their industrial action. The directive, based on Section 139(1)(d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), comes as the government and the unions remain at odds over an agreement concerning conditions of service.

The unions initiated the strike citing the government’s alleged failure to honor a previously reached agreement. This disagreement has now escalated, with the NLC taking a firm stance to bring an end to the current impasse.

The NLC’s formal directive requires the unions – Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG), and Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) – to cease their strike immediately. The NLC stated, “The National Labour Commission in pursuance of its powers under 139 (1) (d) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) directs the following Unions – Senior Staff Association-Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG) and Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to call off their strike.” The strike began on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, throwing university schedules into disarray.

The core of the university staff strike lies in the unions’ claim that the government has not honored a six-month-old agreement aimed at improving their conditions of service. This agreement, negotiated to address various concerns of the university staff, has allegedly not been fulfilled, leading to the current indefinite strike action.

The NLC became involved following notification of the unions’ intent to strike on May 12, 2025. In response, the NLC summoned representatives from both the unions and relevant government bodies for a hearing scheduled for May 21. In a letter dated May 13, referencing Section 160 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), the NLC initially directed all parties to attend the hearing and instructed the unions to suspend their planned strike.

However, government representatives informed the NLC that the university staff strike proceeded despite the initial directive. The unions, in a joint press release, stated, “SSA-UoG, TUAAG and FUSSAG Embark on Indefinite Strike Over Government’s Continued Breach of Agreement.” Consequently, the NLC has invoked Section 161 of the Labour Act, refusing to proceed with the hearing until the strike is called off. This section empowers the NLC to take such action when its directives are not followed.

In summary, the NLC has directed striking university unions to end their strike, citing legal grounds. The strike stems from the government’s alleged failure to honor an agreement on conditions of service. With the NLC refusing to proceed with a hearing until the strike is called off, the situation remains unresolved, potentially leading to continued disruption of university activities.