Academic activity at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is facing serious disruption as the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) intensifies its strike. The ongoing industrial action has already thrown mid-semester examinations into disarray, with critical non-teaching staff such as cleaners, security personnel, and porters withdrawing their services.
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The strike is in response to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) decision to recognize the rival union, TEWU-TUC, as the official representative of educational workers on university councils. TEWU-GH strongly opposes this move, claiming it undermines their legitimacy and representation across various institutions.
Charles Arthur, Chairman of TEWU-GH at KNUST, made it clear that the strike will continue indefinitely until their demands are met. Among those demands is the withdrawal of GTEC’s letter recognizing TEWU-TUC, along with a nationwide verification of union membership in all public universities to determine rightful representation.
“They come to KNUST, they count us. KNUST is in Ghana, and TEWU-GH must lead here. If you go to Legon and TUC leads there, that’s fine. But this is the only way we’ll have peace and harmony,” Arthur asserted.
He warned that if the issue remains unresolved, not only mid-semester exams but also the upcoming main examinations would be affected. “If nothing is done, this strike will continue and disrupt the main examination. We’ve already compromised on mid-semester, but we won’t allow the main exams to go ahead,” he said.
In a passionate address, Arthur expressed the deep frustration among members, accusing authorities of treating them unfairly. “If they want to kill us, we are ready. Our members are prepared. If we’re not considered Ghanaians, they should tell us. But if we are, then we will stand our ground,” he declared.
With no resolution in sight, the fate of thousands of KNUST students remains uncertain. The union’s stance has sparked urgent calls from students, parents, and stakeholders for immediate intervention from university authorities and the government to prevent lasting damage to the academic calendar.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem