The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on University managements to cut down on the admission of students in the country. Addressing a press conference in Accra today, August 25, 2016, the National President of UTAG, Dr. Harry Lawson Agbanu said student population in tertiary institutions continued to rise with government failing to commensurate these increases with the recruitment of more lecturers. This he said is negatively affecting the running of public universities, subsequently putting a lot of pressure on the few lecturers.
“It is not proper to continue to overstretch the capacities of the few dedicated staff of the universities without concern for their wellbeing. We cannot continue this way and expect good results and to make our institutions competitive in this globalized world.” Dr. Agbanu said
He also asked the authorities of the various universities to also terminate the gradual erosion of the autonomy enjoyed by public institutions as well as interference of government in the running of institutions of higher learning in the country.
The National President further gave government a two week ultimatum within which it is to lift the embargo on the recruitment of lecturers. Failure by government to comply with their request will inform them on their next line of action.
Government in July this year approved the recruitment of up to 1,018 lecturers to fill up spaces in public universities. The move was targeted at providing public tertiary institutions that were in dire need of faculty to deliver quality teaching and learning at the various institutions.
But Dr. Agbanu indicated that the number is woefully inadequate per the request the universities made for the effective running of the various institutions. Citing the University of Ghana as an example he said a request of 1,200 staff was requested to fill the vacancies but financial clearance was given to only 238 staff.
“The vacancies that need to be filled by the University of Ghana with regards to all categories of staff stands at 1,200; Technical approval by Public Service Commission provided for 897 workers to be recruited. Surprisingly, financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance gives the University only 238 slots to be filled. Meanwhile, the University of Ghana has already 400 staff on its payroll paid from its IGF for almost four years now which needs to be regulated….University of Energy and Natural Resources requested for 304 staff, including 95 lecturers. Sadly the clearance given has not provided for the university to be able to recruit even one person.” UTAG President explained.
Per the statistics presented by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), a staff strength of about 3,000 is needed to assist in the effective running of various public universities in Ghana.
By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 FM
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