The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed senior management officials of public universities who have joined the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) to return to work immediately.
In a directive issued to public universities on Monday, August 17, 2026, GTEC said senior management officials occupy executive, managerial and policy-making positions that carry significant responsibilities to their institutions.
The Commission said the nature of their positions could limit their participation in industrial action under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
According to GTEC, the participation of senior management officials in the strike could also create a conflict of interest, particularly when such officials are expected to represent their institutions in engagements with trade unions and oversee the continuity of essential university operations.
“Vice-Chancellors are required to submit to the Commission, within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of this directive, a register of all Senior Management Officials who have participated in the industrial action and have failed to comply with this directive,” GTEC stated.
The Commission further cautioned public universities to ensure that the ongoing industrial action does not interfere with essential institutional and student services.
Among the services GTEC said must continue are end-of-semester examinations, auditing, internet and telecommunications services, student portals and registration systems, healthcare, cleaning and janitorial services, finance, salary processing and other essential payments.
It warned that any unlawful disruption of these services could amount to a breach of the Labour Act and other applicable laws.
The directive comes as the GAUA strike continues to affect academic and administrative activities at some public universities.
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), among other institutions, has reportedly suspended scheduled examinations as a result of the industrial action.
GTEC has therefore urged members of GAUA and TUSAAG to exercise restraint and ensure that their industrial action remains within the confines of the law.
The Commission’s latest directive is expected to intensify pressure on the striking associations as authorities seek to prevent further disruption to academic activities and critical services across public universities.
