The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has postponed the reopening of the 2026/2027 academic year indefinitely due to an ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).
The university, in a statement dated 9 October 2026, said the decision was necessary because of the industrial action’s impact on its effective operations and administration.
The reopening was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Management has yet to announce a new date for the commencement of the academic year, urging students, parents, guardians and other stakeholders to await further updates.
GAUA declared a nationwide strike in August 2026 over concerns about salary disparities, outstanding allowances and conditions of service for university administrators.
The association has raised concerns about what it considers an inequitable salary structure for non-teaching senior university staff compared with their teaching counterparts.
At its national congress in Sunyani on 8 August, GAUA National President Reverend Kwaku Amoah Karikari said disparities in remuneration threatened staff morale, industrial harmony and the effective administration of public universities.
The association has also argued that negotiations with the government over its outstanding grievances have failed to produce satisfactory results.
On 8 October, GAUA National General Secretary Charles Jojo Aidoo said discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission had made no significant progress after approximately two months of engagement.
He indicated that the association had several outstanding grievances, including concerns beyond monetary compensation. The strike was declared after negotiations over negotiated and approved allowances failed to resolve the dispute. (Ghana News Agency)
The industrial action has disrupted administrative services at public universities, affecting processes such as student registration, accommodation arrangements and access to essential university services.
At the University of Cape Coast, the strike reportedly affected academic registration, orientation programmes and the processing of documents, leaving some students struggling to complete administrative requirements.
The University of Ghana has also postponed the reopening of its 2026/2027 academic year amid the continuing industrial action, highlighting the wider implications for Ghana’s tertiary education calendar. (Graphic Online)
In its statement, KNUST management advised students, parents and guardians, as well as other stakeholders, to take note of the indefinite postponement.
The university said further information on the revised reopening date would be communicated in due course.
Management also expressed regret over any inconvenience the decision might cause and thanked stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
The reopening date remains uncertain as the industrial dispute continues, with students awaiting further communication from the university.
