By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to the leadership of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) to call off its ongoing strike and allow academic activities to resume at public universities by October 19, 2026, following a meeting aimed at resolving the industrial dispute.
The appeal comes after the strike disrupted the reopening of some public universities, raising concerns about the smooth running of the academic calendar and the potential impact on students and university administration.
Speaking during a meeting with GAUA leadership on Monday, October 12, 2026, the Minister urged the association to return to the negotiation table with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to resolve the outstanding issues through dialogue.
Mr Iddrisu said the government was committed to addressing the concerns surrounding the dispute and ensuring that academic activities resumed as soon as possible.
As part of measures to facilitate the reopening of the affected institutions, the Minister announced plans to direct the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to request public universities to reopen by October 19.
“I will issue a directive to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission by close of the week to request public universities to reopen by October 19, 2026,” he stated.
The proposed directive is intended to push efforts towards restoring normal academic activities while negotiations continue to address the concerns raised by the university administrators.
Government Pushes for Resolution
The Minister’s appeal signals the government’s intention to bring the disruption to an end and prevent further delays to the academic calendar.
By urging GAUA to resume negotiations with the FWSC, Mr Iddrisu has emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving the outstanding issues between the association and the relevant authorities.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission plays a key role in public-sector compensation negotiations, making its engagement with GAUA an important part of efforts to settle the dispute.
However, the success of the negotiations will depend on the ability of the parties to reach an acceptable agreement on the issues that led to the industrial action.
Impact on Students and Universities
The strike has disrupted the reopening of some public universities, creating uncertainty for students who are expected to resume academic activities.
Any prolonged disruption could affect academic schedules, including lectures, examinations and other university activities, depending on the circumstances at the affected institutions.
University administrators also play an important role in the day-to-day management of tertiary institutions, including administrative coordination and the implementation of university policies. Their absence during industrial action can therefore create operational challenges.
The proposed October 19 reopening date is expected to provide a target for restoring normal activities, although the outcome of the negotiations will remain important in determining how the dispute is resolved.
Academic Calendar at Stake
The latest development follows the Education Minister’s earlier assurance that the government would work to protect the academic calendar despite the disruption caused by the industrial dispute.
Mr Iddrisu had described the current academic calendar as one of the best Ghana had experienced in the past five to 10 years and stressed the need to preserve the progress made.
His latest appeal to GAUA reflects the government’s concern about maintaining academic stability and limiting the effects of the strike on students and public universities.
A resolution could help affected institutions resume their activities and allow university authorities to make the necessary adjustments to their academic schedules.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on the government’s planned directive to GTEC and renewed negotiations between GAUA and the FWSC.
While the Minister has called for public universities to reopen by October 19, 2026, the outstanding issues between the parties still need to be addressed to achieve a lasting settlement.
The coming days will therefore be important in determining whether the association will call off the strike and whether the affected universities can resume academic activities within the proposed timeframe.
For students and other members of the university community, the priority remains a resolution that allows academic work to continue without further disruption.
