The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) has announced the reactivation of its suspended strike over what it describes as growing disparities in Market Premium and related allowances between Teaching and Non-Teaching Senior Members in public universities.
The decision was taken at GAUA’s National Congress held in Sunyani on Friday, August 7, 2026. The Association has directed all its members to stay away from work from Monday, August 10, until further notice.
GAUA said the decision followed concerns over recent changes to Market Premiums, which it believes have created unfair differences between Teaching and Non-Teaching Senior Members who operate within what it considers an analogous salary structure.
The Association stressed that it supports improvements in the conditions of service of Teaching Senior Members but insisted that such improvements should not come at the expense of Non-Teaching Senior Members.
According to GAUA, the Market Premium for Senior Members was harmonised at 114 percent following the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure in 2012. It said the rate remained unchanged until the latest review in 2026.
GAUA said it signed an agreement with the government on April 22, 2026, which took retrospective effect from April 1. The agreement provided for a 40 percent increase in the consolidated Market Premium and Non-Basic Allowances for Non-Teaching Senior Members.
However, the Association said the adjustment had not addressed the disparity between the two groups.
It estimated that a Teaching Senior Member currently receives an average Market Premium of about GH¢10,000, compared with approximately GH¢4,718 for a Non-Teaching Senior Member. This represents a difference of about GH¢5,282.
GAUA described the situation as inconsistent with fairness, internal equity and the principles underlying the Single Spine Pay Policy.
The Association expressed particular concern that an Assistant Lecturer, the lowest-ranked Teaching Senior Member, now receives a higher Market Premium than a Registrar or Finance Officer, who are among the highest-ranked Non-Teaching Senior Members.
The Association said it formally petitioned the National Labour Commission (NLC) and other relevant state institutions on July 16, 2026, seeking intervention, but had not received a response.
With no progress on the matter, Congress resolved to reactivate the previously suspended industrial action.
The Association has therefore instructed its members to remain away from work until the government and other stakeholders satisfactorily resolve the dispute.
