The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has commenced an indefinite strike to protest what it describes as unfair disparities in allowances and poor conditions of service.

The industrial action took effect on Monday, August 10, 2026, following an emergency meeting at which members of the association agreed to withdraw their services until their concerns are addressed.

GAUA represents non-teaching administrative staff at the university.

The association’s Secretary, Phanuel Seli Kwadzo Asense, said the allowance gap between teaching and non-teaching staff had become a major concern for administrators.

According to him, the highest-ranking non-teaching staff member receives an allowance that is almost 50 per cent lower than that of the lowest-ranking teaching staff member.

“If you pick the least teaching staff member, the allowance offered to them compared to the highest non-teaching staff member, there is a disparity of not less than 50%,” he said.

Mr Asense argued that the disparity was negatively affecting the welfare and morale of administrative staff and could undermine their ability to provide effective services to the university community.

The strike has already disrupted activities at several administrative units, with offices within the Information Technology, Accounting and Development departments reportedly shut down.

The university’s hospitals have also been affected as members of the association participate in the industrial action.

Mr Asense said the decision to strike was taken after months of unsuccessful engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and other government institutions responsible for addressing their concerns.

He explained that despite several meetings and communications, the association had yet to receive a satisfactory resolution to the issues raised.

The GAUA Secretary said members would remain on strike until meaningful steps were taken to address their grievances.

“If government is a listening one and would have our concerns addressed, we will consider coming back. We are not fighting the university or the teaching staff,” he said.

He stressed that the action was aimed at securing fair treatment for non-teaching staff and was not intended to create conflict between administrators and teaching personnel.

Meanwhile, a monitoring team is expected to be deployed in the coming days to monitor the industrial action and identify members who may return to work despite the association’s decision.

The strike is expected to continue to affect administrative operations at KNUST until the outstanding issues between the association and the relevant government authorities are resolved.