The National Labour Commission (NLC) has directed striking university senior staff unions to immediately call off their ongoing indefinite strike to allow for further negotiations on their grievances.

The directive follows a notice of industrial action declared by four unions: the Senior Staff Association–Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TEWU-TUC), the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), and the Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG).

In response to the strike notice, the commission summoned the unions and their employers to appear before it on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., and instructed them to suspend any intended action pending the hearing.

However, when the case was called, only TUAAG appeared before the commission. The union was represented by its Takoradi Local President and the Accra Local Vice Chairman, who indicated they were representing the National President.

The three other unions: SSA-UoG, TEWU-TUC and FUSSAG, failed to appear.

Representatives of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), including the Deputy Director-General, and officials from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), were present on behalf of the employers.

During proceedings, TUAAG told the commission it was not participating in the strike, despite being a signatory to the joint notice announcing the industrial action.

Management representatives, however, informed the commission that SSA-UoG had commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday, February 3, adding that the other unions were also participating.

Following deliberations, the commission ordered all striking workers to immediately suspend the industrial action, stressing that the substantive issues in dispute cannot be addressed while the strike continues.

“The Commission hereby directs the striking workers to call off the ongoing strike with immediate effect to pave way for further discussions on their issues. Until the strike is called off the substantive issues cannot be heard,” the directive stated.

The NLC further instructed TUAAG that if it is not part of the strike, it must formally communicate its disassociation from the action in writing.

The unions have accordingly been advised to comply with the commission’s directive to facilitate dialogue and resolution of the dispute.