In response to the urgent welfare concerns of junior staff members within public universities, the formation of the Public Universities Junior Staff Association (PUJUSA) has emerged, aiming to unify voices and advocate for improved conditions of service.
PUJUSA aims to serve as the collective voice for junior staff members, advocating for their rights, well-being and professional development.
As senior staff members and other high officials in public universities have associations that engage in dialogue with the government on their behalf, it has become crucial for junior staff members to also have representation to address the unique challenges they face.
The General Secretary of the Association, Samuel Amuzu Mcstill, highlighted that PUJUSA seeks to represent their concerns and work towards finding sustainable solutions to improve their working conditions and quality of life.
Director, Human Resources and Organisational Development Directorate, University of Ghana, Dr. Yvonne Lamptey, in her address, acknowledged the critical role of the junior staff in the operations of public universities, stressing that structures, systems and people are the elements or wheels on which the institution operates.
However, she explained that without the people, regardless of how robust the other two components may be, it will still fail to function. Hence, she underscored the critical role of staff and the necessity to pay attention to their welfare needs.
“Leaders have responsibilities and members also have a role to play for the management of an organization to achieve set goals. Therefore, both PUJUSA members and leaders must identify their roles and play them well for the association to hold power and influence to achieve its goals,” she said.
She reiterated PUJUSA will ensure that wages, working conditions and overall well-being of all members are addressed through education, sensitisation and dialogue with management and the government.
In a speech read on her behalf, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, congratulated the association and extended her best wishes for their journey ahead.
She noted the importance of clear communication between management and staff for fostering harmonious relationships within an organization, noting that unions play a crucial role in facilitating this communication.
“We must understand that we are first members of the institution which gave us the opportunity to be members of the union, hence the ultimate goal of the institution must be of primary concern. We respect the spirit of partnership, and together we can share a future that builds the welfare and growth of members,” she stated.
Former President, University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), University of Ghana, Prof. Samuel Nkumbaan, urged leadership to prioritise the socioeconomic needs of junior staff members of universities.
“Unions exist to ensure harmonious relationship and negotiation platform between government and the people or institutions and their staff; this must not be different. A satisfied staff is an asset to an institution whilst a dissatisfied one poses great challenge to achievement of institutional objectives,” he said.
Dr. Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), highlighted two major challenges facing workers’ welfare: unions being disunited by laws and workers’ welfare not being considered when formulating policies.
