By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has met the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), led by its President, Professor Vera Ogeh Fiador, to discuss issues affecting the welfare of university teachers and matters of national concern.
A statement issued by the Presidency said the discussions focused on the National Research Fund, the Book and Research Allowance for university teachers, concerns about the retirement age of lecturers, as well as recruitment and emoluments.
Other issues discussed included UTAG’s demand for the removal of the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and requests for import duty exemptions on vehicles and research equipment belonging to UTAG members.
The meeting also examined concerns relating to student accommodation, the illegal mining (galamsey) menace, matters arising from the ongoing Constitutional Review Commission process, and the state of the economy.
President Mahama informed the delegation of the Government’s intention to collaborate with the private sector to construct hostels on the campuses of public universities to help address accommodation challenges.
Regarding financial clearance for recruitment, he explained that the compensation budget for public sector workers remained constrained, requiring the Ministry of Finance to carefully manage approvals for new appointments.
The President, however, expressed optimism that continued economic recovery and growth would create additional fiscal space to improve conditions of service and address related concerns.
On the impasse between UTAG and the GTEC Director-General, President Mahama called for an amicable resolution.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, assured the UTAG leadership of the Government’s commitment to academic freedom and said the administration was focused on providing the infrastructure and support needed to improve the quality of tertiary education.
He also informed the meeting that an arbitration panel, chaired by his deputy, Dr Clement Apaak, was actively working to resolve the dispute between UTAG and the Director-General of GTEC.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah