[ 2014-07-25 ]

Govt stings UTAG; withdraws compromised stance
The Education Ministry has scoffed at the
indefinite strike declared by the University
Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) as it
withdraws its olive branch to the lecturers.

Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
suggested on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Friday
that UTAG’s position is a show of bad faith, as
he announced government’s resolve not to
entertain their position.

The strike was to press home their demand for the
reinstatement of the scrapped book and research
allowances which is being replaced by the National
Research Fund.

Their colleagues, Polytechnic Teachers Association
of Ghana (POTAG), are already on strike over the
same issue. At a press conference to announce the
strike Thursday, the president of UTAG Dr. Samuel
Ofori-Bekoe said they will only return to the
classroom when their allowances are paid.

But Mr. Ablakwa said government, prior to the
introduction of the Fund, had decided to pay the
book and research allowance for 2013/14 academic
year.

The government amended its stance at a recent
meeting chaired by the Employment Minister with
other stakeholders including UTAG, Parliamentary
Committee on Education and Fair Wages and Salary
Commission in attendance, he noted.

The Deputy Minister said the representatives of
UTAG informed the meeting they ought to consult
union members about the development and respond
appropriately, only for them to declare a strike
barely 24 hours.

“Our gentlemanly position has been slapped in
the face,” he said in shocked tone.

“We have no choice but to withdraw our
compromise position,” Ablakwa asserted
subsequently. With the strike in place, the
Education Ministry washes off it hands to allow
the Labour Commission and other stakeholders to be
in charge of the issue, he stated.

According to him, the National Research Fund,
yet-to-be introduced, will seal all the loopholes
in the current allowance, citing how non lecturers
were benefiting from it, which he said defeated
the purpose for which it was established.

He recognized the essence of enhancing research to
develop the nation, stressing that government’s
would not shelve its educational
responsibilities.

But UTAG President Dr. Samuel Ofori-Bekoe in a
sharp rebuttal described Ablakwa’s submission as
“not accurate”, “not true” as he exhibited
a “gross misunderstanding of issues” bothering
on the book and research allowance.

He resoundingly retorted government’s decision
to withdraw its decision to pay this year’s
allowance.

“If it is out of the table, it should be out of
the table. We don’t care,” Dr. Ofori-Bekoe was
undisturbed.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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