Dr Owusu Fordjour Audio is a former UTAG President
A former President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr Owusu Fordjour Audio, has urged the government to intervene immediately to address significant delays in the promotion of lecturers at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya, in the Eastern Region.
Dr Fordjour Audio, who was speaking in an interview with this reporter in Kumasi, spoke about the severe impact of these delays on lecturers’ financial stability and morale.
He pointed out that some deserving lecturers have waited for promotions since 2003, while others have been held up in the senior lecturer promotion process for as long as 20 months.
This, according to him, has led to an estimated loss of GH₵30,000 in unpaid salary increments per lecturer.
“These delays are not only demoralizing but also hinder the growth of a skilled knowledge workforce in higher education. They pose a significant barrier to effective education and, ultimately, impede national development,” Dr Fordjour emphasised.
As a lecturer at UESD, Dr Fordjour reiterated the commitment of the lecturers to providing quality education, shaping the character of students, and guiding their careers.
However, he lamented the lack of recognition and value they feel due to the promotion delays.
“We are now frustrated, and our economies are also down,” he said, describing the lecturers as feeling ‘helpless’ and unfairly treated. He also criticised the university management for a lack of transparency.
Dr Owusu Fordjour Audio specifically called on the Minister of Education to intervene to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency within the university.
He urged stakeholders to address the systemic inefficiencies causing these delays to improve the conditions of service for academic staff.
Despite the challenges, Dr Fordjour pledged the commitment of lecturers to continue working hard and contributing to sustainable development in education, ultimately driving economic growth.
Catch up on the mysterious and historic details of Fort Amsterdam in this final part of our Ghana Month Series on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below: