By Samuel SAM
The Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has held its 48th annual delegates congress in Tamale to deliberate on issues affecting the association and technical universities in Ghana.
The two-day congress brought together executives and local unions from TUTAG; dubbed ‘The role of TUTAG in fostering harmonious employer-employee relations for sustainable development’, it was also used to discuss the association’s role in developing technical universities.
Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum – represented by Deputy Director-General of the GTEC, Prof. Francis K.E. Nunoo, commended TUTAG for their dedication in advocating for teachers’ rights and catering for their welfare.
“TUTAG contributes to the overall quality of education and promotes a culture of lifelong learning. Your work has been instrumental in creating a positive and productive working environment, ultimately benefitting our entire educational system,” he said.
“The progress that TUTAG has made in supporting our technical universities is commendable. TUTAG’s continuous commitment to the welfare and professional development of its members is commendable. Your efforts in advocating for better working conditions, fair wages and continuous professional development have significantly contributed to a positive and productive educational environment,” he said.
He stressed that the continued growth and effective operations of TUTAG will help create an education system wherein teachers will be empowered to give their best in enabling students to receive the highest quality education while society benefits from a well-educated and thriving population.
The minister’s statement highlighted that teachers’ associations like TUTAG play a pivotal role in fostering harmonious relations within the educational sector – thereby serving as a bridge between teachers and educational authorities, advocating for the rights, needs and professional development of their members.
By promoting open communication, collaboration and mutual understanding, these associations will help build a positive and productive working environment as well as ensure that teachers’ voices are heard in policymaking processes and their concerns are addressed promptly and effectively, he added.
Vice Chancellor-Tamale Technical University, Prof. Bashiru Imoro Ibn Saeed, also commended TUTAG for their tremendous contributions toward the growth of universities and the nation.
National President-TUTAG, Prof Uriah S. Tetteh, noted that within the ecosystem there are a lot of strikes and industrial actions – which feels like it is only when unions come together and negotiate with management in such a way that their demands will be addressed, which is bad.
“In the sub-regions, university teachers are paid less than what they deserve, and we keep pushing to try and make policymakers come back to the drawing board for negotiations,” he said.
He further said: “With the single spine salary system, we were better off; but due to inflation and dollar rates, exchange rates, our currency keeps dwindling. So, we keep engaging government on finding other means to make our conditions of service better”.
