Lectures resume at University of Ghana

Accra, Sept. 15 GNA - Lectures resumed at the University of Ghana, Legon on Monday after a three-week strike by lecturers to press demands for better conditions of services.

As early as 0630 hours, lecturers and students were in some of the lecture theatres ready for the beginning of academic work. A number of students, who were still not sure if the lecturers would resume work were late in coming to campus and, therefore, missed the first lectures.

Life has returned to normal on the nation's premier university and a number of students the GNA spoke to expressed the hope that the academic calendar would be followed without an extension since the disruption was not their doing.

The National Executive Committee of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on Wednesday announced that it was suspending its industrial action and would restore services with effect from Monday, September 15.

A statement by Dr H. Pufaa, President of UTAG in Accra, said their decision was in the hope that "this will be the last of (such) broken promises and that this matter will be resolved once and for all". UTAG withdrew its services on August 20 to back their demands for "a distinct and separate salary structure and better conditions of service".

Dr Pufaa said since the withdrawal of services, much had gone on between UTAG and the government.

This led to a mandate being given to the Standing Joint Negotiating Committee for negotiations to begin.

He said on September 5, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo opened negotiations and further gave an undertaking that the government would be fully committed and keep faith to the process of negotiations.

The Minister also promised in writing that negotiated figures would be factored into the 2004 budget.

"It is noted that there have been failed promises in the past. Consultations with our members on the various public university campuses were characterised by heated debates and doubts.

"As a result, some campuses resolved to continue the strike. "However, the National Executive Committee of UTAG after a critical analysis of the situation has decided to suspend the strike and restore our services on Monday, 15th September, 2003, in the hope that this will be the last of such broken promises and that this matter will be resolved once and for all."

Students at the various public university campuses have been waiting for classes to start since the universities reopened about two weeks ago.