Ekeomah Atuonwu
Universities in Ghana and Nigeria are on the verge of closing unless dons who have been on strike for more than four weeks return to work.
On January 10, 2022, professors in Ghana, who are members of the national umbrella group known as the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), went on strike over inadequate working conditions.
According to the lecturers’ organization, the government has refused to implement a wage policy that sets their basic income and market premium at $2,084 USD.
This incentive is intended to keep university lecturers from leaving their professions to pursue other opportunities or even flying abroad to teach.
Lecturers are also asking for an increase in their book and research allowances, in addition to a hike in their salary.
While the government hopes that the lecturers will end their strike soon, the impact on students is becoming increasingly severe. Thousands of students, both domestic and international, have been stranded for weeks.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria has highlighted concerns about inadequate working conditions. To fight for their objectives, university lecturers have threatened to go on a statewide strike. This would be the second significant strike in two years if the threat is carried out.
The previous strike lasted nine months, causing Nigeria to lose virtually an entire academic year.
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