University of Ghana Inaugurates Senior Staff Association (SSAUoG)

Group picture of Local Executives, Some Members, Executives of Sister Universities and some Invited Dignitaries 

The University of Ghana branch of the Senior Staff Association - Universities of Ghana (SSAUoG) has been inaugurated on Friday April 26, 2019, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana.

In his opening remarks, the National Chairman of the Association, Mr. Mark Claude Asangba, revealed the motive behind the breakaway from the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) and subsequent formation of the SSAUoG.

According to Mr. Asangba, the breakaway was imperative owing to the fact that the National Executives of FUSSAG had failed to meet a number of constitutional requirements. These included their failure to render audited accounts for nearly 4 years, altering the constitution to make the position of General Secretary permanent, failure to renegotiate conditions of service since 2008 and failure to address members’ enquiries as to why 50% of members’ dues should be deposited at the national office among others.

The National Chairman recounted that five out of the Nation’s nine public universities namely; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Education - Winneba (UEW), University for Development Studies (UDS), University of Cape Coast (UCC) and University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) had all broken away from FUSSAG. He was elated that some FUSSAG members of the University of Ghana had come together to form the Senior Staff Association to advance the welfare of members.

Mr. Asangba indicated unlike the previous dispensation where 50% of members’ dues was deposited at the national office, the dues will now be managed by the local executives. He itemised some of the benefits members of sister universities had begun enjoying few months after the breakaway from FUSSAG. These included acquisition of lands for members and purchasing of vehicles for members on credit among others. He was optimistic that the University of Ghana branch of the association would expedite immediate action leading to the improvement in members’ conditions of service.

In brief remarks, Mr. Kwadwo Twumasi, a Senior Assistant Registrar, Human Resource and Organizational Development Directorate (HRODD) who represented Mr. Daniel O. Baidoo, Director, (HRODD) and Chairman for the occasion informed the audience that management of the University welcomes the formation of the association and indicated that the Act of the University, the Constitution of Ghana and the Labour Laws allow freedom of association. He however cautioned members of the association to be mindful of the rules and regulations of the University in conducting their business. Mr. Twumasi then led a seven member interim executive to administer the oath to steer the affairs of the association.

SSA-UoG Interim Executives Administering Oath

From right: Mr. Francis Sosoo, Chairman, Mr. Nathaniel Asiedu Ansog, 1st Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Mary Zambilla Yahaya, 2nd Vice-Chair, Mr. Eric Yaw Alade, Secretary,  Mr. Adenaa Bawa, Trustee, Vice-Secretary, Mr. Christian Anugnom Atum, Trustee and Mrs. Beatrice Awotwe-Pratt, Financial Secretary

The special guest Speaker for the inauguration, Mr. Eugene N. Korletey, Acting Chief Labour Officer expressed his delight to be a part of the inauguration ceremony. He emphasised the fact that staff of any institution form an integral part of the maintenance and the sustainability of the institution. He also advised the interim executives to acquaint themselves with the labour laws and also acquire negotiation skills that will enable them achieve their objectives. He reiterated the need for members to abide by the rules and regulations governing the university and cautioned them to refrain from inappropriate ways of pressing home their demands.

In a short address, President of the University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr. Harry Agbanu expressed his excitement at the formation of the association. He noted that the success of every association was dependent on its members, and consequently called for unity among members and the leaders. He further charged the association to collaborate with other associations in order to resist any perceived external force marshalling itself to take away the liberty that Universities have enjoyed over the years, citing the Public Universities bill as an example.

The Interim Chairman of the UG branch of SSAUoG, Mr. Francis Sosoo, on behalf of the executives expressed appreciation to members for the confidence reposed in them to steer the affairs of the association. He declared that the aim of the executives was to meet the cardinal welfare of its members. He reiterated that the formation of the association was inevitable since all efforts to resolve concerns associated with FUSSAG had failed to yield any fruitful results.  He was gratified with the positive response given the association by staff and revealed that few months into the formation of the association, its membership had exceeded four hundred (400).

In outlining some of the benefits due members of the Association, Mr. Sosoo indicated that the association had arranged with a number of Medical/Diagnostic Centres such as Diagnostic Centre, East Legon where members could undergo medical examinations that may be required by the University Hospital at no cost to the member. Members, he added, could pick up all prescribed drugs at Ernest Chemists also at no cost to members.

In his closing remarks, the representative of the Chairman, Mr. Kwadwo Twumasi reiterated management’s commitment in working with the association. He further admonished members to comply with the rules and regulations of the university and charged them to seek appropriate permission whenever they have other engagements in order to continue the cordiality members have always enjoyed.

Goodwill messages were received from sister-universities including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Education – Winneba (UEW), University of Cape Coast (UCC), University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT). Also present at the event were the Executives of the Senior Staff Association, Korle-Bu.

 

Picture of members at the inauguration ceremony