The Technical University Teachers of Ghana (TUTAG) is appealing to students and colleagues to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols religiously to curb the spread of the virus and to avoid the possibility of another lock down.
“Though TUTAG is very much sympathetic with the situation that schools have reopen amidst the pandemic, certainly anyone in President Nana Addo Dankwa Addo’s shoes would have taken the same decision to reopen schools, though the COVID-19 is still with us and even gaining more grounds in the country.
Hence, the appeal to all especially students to observe the safety protocol measures to prevent the lockdown which will affect academic work,” TUTAG made the appeal at a press conference held in Tamale led by its President Dr. Michael Akurugu Brigandi.
The conference was to raise issues affecting academic work amidst the pandemic and measures to take to ensure smooth learning in the country especially within technical universities.
Other subjects discussed at the conference include conditions of service lecturers which has been an issue between the association and government. TUTAG said government has assured that it will address all concerns regarding the matter within the shortest possible time.
However, other issues such as the migration of Bolgatanga and Wa Technical University staff is still not addressed. It also reminded government that the association has still not been paid the arrears of research allowances due its members and therefore called on the Ministry of Finance to expedite action on the outstanding allowances.
The association further expressed worry about the fact that staff of technical universities have been required to publish more papers for promotion and equally wait for more years before promotion than what pertains in other universities which is not fair, and therefore, calling on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to address the anomaly as soon as practicable.
TUTAG used the opportunity to congratulate Professor Mohammed Salifu on his elevation to the high office of Director General of the newly constituted Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and said TUTAG looks forward to an exciting working relationship with him.
The association further thanked the outgoing Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, for the good working relationship he had with them during his time as Minister of Education.
