UTAG ready to dialogue with Finance Ministry and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission 

Despite last Thursday's appeal by the Ministry of Education asking the University Teachers Association of Ghana, UTAG to reconsider its decision of embarking on strike, the Association on Tuesday has gone against the appeal and went ahead to withdraw their  services. 

Radio Ghana's correspondent visited three public Universities in Accra and reports that students who went for lectures this morning returned home since their lecturers did not show up. 

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Paul Krampah has appealed to the striking members of UTAG to participate in a scheduled meeting on Wednesday between the Vice Chancellors of Ghana and the Fair Wages Commission to resolve concerns raised by the Association. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr Krampah urged the members to be calm, and was optimistic that the issues will be addressed. 

He, however, said the Ministry of Education has no hand in the negotiating process but facilitates with the Fair Wages Commission for better results. 

In a related development, the President of UTAG, Dr Anthony Simmons says they are ready with open heart to meet officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and    Salaries Commission to resolve their unpaid arrears since last year. 

Dr Simmons told Radio Ghana that UTAG is not interested in crippling the academic calender. 

The strike has therefore become necessary to end the foot dragging attitude of the two bodies over the unpaid arrears. 

GBC