Boycott by UTAG disrupts academic work at Legon

Accra May 15, GNA - Lectures at the University of Ghana came halt on Monday following the commencement of a one-week boycott of classes by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) to back demands for better conditions of service and increased allowances for programmes ran by the lecturers.

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the University campus revealed empty lecture halls. A first year student told the GNA in an interview that although the strike action is not in good taste, the lecturers "have a bone to pick with Government."

He pleaded with the government to solve the problem with the urgency it deserves. Mr Asiedu Acquah, a second year student said the students were prepared to sacrifice for only the one-week given by the UTAG "especially when we have only three weeks to go for our examinations."

The President of the Students Representative Council who took office recently could not be reached for his comments. Members of UTAG were holding a meeting to brief the public later. Mr Ransford Antwi, Programmes and Project Officer of the NUGS, who is in Kumasi with the other executives, told the GNA on phone that they still stand by their earlier statement appealing to government and other parties involved to speed up negotiations.