Govt, SSA-UoG sign agreement to improve working conditions

 The government and the Senior Staff Asso­ciation – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) have signed an agreement to im­prove the working conditions of university senior staff.

The meeting saw the lead­ership of SSA-UoG and the government team, led by the Fair Wages and Salaries Com­mission (FWSC), conclude the deal.

Mr George Ansong, the National Chairman of SSA-UoG, expressed his gratitude to members of the association for their patience and dedica­tion throughout the process.

“We have not got every­thing we wanted, but we have made significant progress, we live to fight again, and we ap­preciate the support and input from our team and members,” he said.

He also acknowledged the government’s effort to listen to their concerns, stating, “We are grateful for the govern­ment’s willingness to listen to our concerns, we are not just fighting for our rights but fighting for the future of our universities.”

He urged members to remain focused, as there were still unresolved issues. “This agreement is just the beginning, we will continue to work together to address the outstanding issues,” he emphasized.

The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Mr Benjamin Arthur, commended the asso­ciation for their resilience and determination throughout the negotiations.

“We have come to a com­promise, and we pray that the implementation will be smoother than the negotia­tion, we know it has not been easy, but we are committed to making progress,” he said.

He highlighted the impor­tance of dialogue and urged SSA-UoG leadership to col­laborate closely with the gov­ernment to ensure a smooth implementation process.

“Let us continue to engage in constructive dialogue, there is need to make sure all mem­bers of the association benefit from the agreement,” he said.

According to him, the agreement marks a significant step forward in addressing the concerns of the senior staff of Ghanaian universities.

He expressed optimism about its impact on improving working conditions.

“This deal for the govern­ment, it reflects a willingness to address the needs and concerns of key stakeholders in education,” he said.

 BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG