Authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are training alternate staff to handle biometric registration of students as lecturers continue their strike.
The registration of students which is normally conducted by the lecturers was originally scheduled for Monday but had to be postponed to Wednesday to allow management train other non-teaching staff on how to use biometric equipment for registering students.
On 16 August 2013, just a few days into the 2013/2014 academic year, the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) declared strike.
FUSSAG which comprises the country’s public universities withdrew their services, to among other things, protest delay in the payment of their interim market premium arrears for 2012 and 2013. The premium is paid to retain special skills as government deems necessary.
Meanwhile, students who have resumed academic work are reportedly disappointed that they have to bear the brunt of this industrial action by their teachers.
Although lectures at the KNUST are due to commence next Monday, the lecturers maintain they are on strike, forcing management to take steps to ensure the registration of students is not adversely affected.
At the University of Ghana, some history students had a class Monday morning but a lecturer for an Economics class did not show up.
At the Cape Coast University hospital, patients are turning to the Cape Coast Regional Hospital for treatment. The lecturers there also revealed they have suspended the strike but are waiting for FUSSAG to confirm their decision.
Although FUSSAG has not formally called off the strike, the Association’s president says they will take a decision by close of day Monday.
