UTAG strike: Shutting down universities after 21 days not backed by law, but an economic decision – Prof. Awandare; Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Students’ Affairs at the University of Ghana (Pro VC ASA), says the law requires universities in Ghana to close down after 21 days of no academic work.
According to him, such a decision is economically motivated because the institution’s costs are carefully considered for the university’s successful operation.
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He explained that providing students with social amenities such as electricity and water while academic work is suspended will have costly consequences for the university in the long term.
“I don’t think that is a law. It is more of a practical decision in terms of its economics.
“If you have students on campus using electricity, water, spending money, putting pressure on the facility and nothing is going on in terms of classroom work, then at a point you have to cut your losses and say, let’s take a break, everybody go home and relax and then when the issue is resolved, come back,” Prof. Awandare said in an interview on Campus Exclusive.
“it is more of an economic decision that the universities normally take that if after three weeks, there is no sign of a breakthrough then you think about shutting down the University.
The clarification comes at a time when many are worried that tertiary institutions will be shut down as the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has been on strike for more than three weeks over its conditions of service.
Meanwhile, Professor Awandare claims that the University of Ghana’s management has not contemplated closing the school while the strike continues.
According to him, the university’s administration is optimistic about a resolution.
We haven’t started talking about shutting down because we are hopeful, optimistic that something good will happen. I can assure you that we have not discussed any shutdown
If university teachers do not call off their strike this week, the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) has threatened to stage a series of protests.
Dr. Phillip Armah, President of USAG, said the apparent lack of communication from university officials and the government over the strike is concerning, as the situation has forced many students to return home.
If we do not hear anything positive this week, if it has to take us to organised series of protests in our campuses, we wouldn’t shy away from that. Whoever needs to listen has to listen. We have paid fees, and we demand to be taught.
