KNUST TEWU-GH declares strike over exclusion from university council

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) has started an indefinite strike. They are protesting their exclusion from the university's governing council.

The conflict began when the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) nominated TEWU-GH’s rival group. This group is the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TEWU-TUC).

TEWU-GH claims to have a majority membership at KNUST. They argue that nominating TEWU-TUC violates democratic principles of union representation. They see this as a deliberate act of marginalization.

Due to this situation, TEWU-GH has initiated industrial action. In a press statement, Charles Arthur, KNUST Chairman of TEWU-GH, emphasized their commitment to due process. He also expressed strong opposition to external interference in university governance.

Arthur stated that the strike will continue until GTEC reverses its decision. The union wants the council's composition to reflect fair representation.

This situation highlights ongoing tensions between TEWU-GH and TEWU-TUC at KNUST. There have been previous disputes over council representation as well.

As the strike begins, the university community is anxious. They are waiting for possible interventions to resolve this issue.