The Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and cancel the purported withdrawal of its members from the Governing Councils of Public Universities by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
According to the group, the action of GTEC to withdraw TEWU’s representatives on the council, until a meeting on May 16, 2025 was usurpation of the powers and authority of the President.
Addressing a news conference last Friday on the purported withdrawal of members of TEWU of TUC on the Governing Councils of Public Universities, the General Secretary of TEWU of TUC, King James Azortibah, said the move by GTEC was disrespectful to TEWU of TUC.
He said the representatives of TEWU TUC Ghana had been approved by the President and duly sworn in by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in line with the governing legislations of the public universities.
Mr Azortibah mentioned that TEWU of TUC Ghana had been in the public universities since 1967.
“Regarding council representation, the Public Universities Acts and Statutes governing the institutions clearly designated TEWU of TUC as the representative union for specific staff categories,” he stated.
Mr Azortibah added that the members of TEWU of TUC remained the lawful representatives on the Governing Councils of Public Universities.
“We commend President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who is a legal luminary for abiding by the rule of law and recognising that TEWU of TUC is the rightful representative on the Governing Councils of the various public universities,” the General Secretary stated.
Mr Azortibah asked GTEC to remain neutral and not entertain a breakaway group who continued to represent their role in the media.
He also expressed regret that some university management officials seemed to be tacitly supporting the actions of the breakaway group, “and we strongly condemn such acts.”
Moreover, he said TEWU of TUC expected strict adherence to the Public Universities Acts and Statutes.
“TEWU of TUC will uphold the principles of the 1992 Constitution and protect its heritage. We call on our members to stand united against attempts to undermine our union,” Mr Azortibah stated.
The Chairperson of TEWU of TUC, Salamatu Mahama Brainah, noted that, “TEWU of TUC will not sit down for its hands to be twisted.”
She said the action of from GTEC was undermining the powers of the President.
Ms Braimah further indicated that the withdrawal of TEWU of TUC would affect the union as it members could not attend the meeting of the Governing Council of the Public Universities.
The Secretary General of TUC, Joshua Ansah, said the TUC would resist any attempt to undermine the authority of the President and TEWU of TUC.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
