Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to promptly retract its contentious letter regarding the retirement and post-retirement engagement of university lecturers.
He emphasised that the Commission is required to adhere to the current conditions of service for academic personnel.
This action comes in response to significant concerns voiced by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), whose members have shown discontent with the correspondence.
Mr. Iddrisu assured lecturers that the government is fully dedicated to upholding the agreed conditions of service, especially for those nearing the mandatory retirement age.
He affirmed that all previously granted exemptions under the retirement policy would continue to be honoured.
“A few days ago, I got a text from the President of UTAG. They were very unhappy about a letter that GTEC had forwarded to members of UTAG.
“I have asked GTEC to withdraw that letter and to respect the conditions of service of our university lecturers, particularly those who are at the mandatory retirement age,” he stated.
The Education Minister also revealed that President John Dramani Mahama had previously sanctioned exemptions for academic staff under the wider compulsory retirement policy.
He clarified that his intervention was intended to preserve industrial harmony within the tertiary education sector while protecting the rights and agreed conditions of service for university lecturers.
The Minister made this announcement during the inauguration of a new hostel facility at Wisconsin International University College located in Feyiase, Ashanti Region.
