GAUA Begins Indefinite Strike Over 50% Allowance Gap Between Senior Members

The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has launched an indefinite strike to protest what it describes as a widening pay gap in Market Premium and allowances between Teaching and Non-Teaching Senior Members in public universities.

The strike took effect on *Monday, August 10*, with GAUA directing all its members nationwide to stay away from work until the matter is resolved. The Association has also warned it will “name and shame” any member who fails to comply.

Speaking to the media, *Phanuel Seli Kwadzo Asense*, Secretary of the GAUA chapter at KNUST, said the disparity had become too large to overlook.

“*We are on strike, and it is simply because there is a widening disparity in the market premium offered by the government and related allowances*,” he said.

According to him, when compared, the lowest allowance for a teaching staff member is still *not less than 50% higher* than the highest allowance for a non-teaching senior member.

Mr. Asense stressed that GAUA is not against better pay for lecturers, but is demanding equal consideration.

“*GAUA is not fighting non-teaching staff. Neither is it fighting the university. We are simply seeking the welfare of members*,” he stated.

He noted that the issue was extensively discussed at GAUA’s recent conference in Sunyani, and that previous engagements with government and other authorities had not yielded a satisfactory outcome.

The strike covers all GAUA members, including IT staff, accountants, doctors, and development officers, and is not limited to specific departments. GAUA says it will deploy teams to monitor compliance and ensure no member works physically or remotely during the action.

“*We are not doing it gradually; we are going to have a team on the ground to make sure that nobody is working either remotely or physically in the offices*,” Mr. Asense said.

At KNUST, local executives met members ahead of the strike to stress the need for full compliance.

Mr. Asense added that the Association is open to calling off the strike if government takes steps to “break the gap” between the allowances of teaching and non-teaching senior members.

“*If the government is a listening government and listens to our demands... obviously Ghana will consider coming back from the strike*,” he said.