The  Civil and Local Government Staff  Association of Ghana  (CLOGSAG) has served notice it will declare an  indefinite strike on Thursday 20 January.

A statement issued by CLOGSAG said the decision is to press home their demands for  better condition of service.

“This is to confirm the National Executive Council (NEC) decision that from 20 January, 2022, the Civil and Local Government Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) will embark on a nationwide strike to press home their demand for better conditions of service.

“By this letter, all CLOGSAG members in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, are informed to stay at home from Thursday 20, January 2022 until further notice,” the statement said.

The statement added: “In similar vein, by this letter, all Chief Directors, Heads of Departments, Regional Coordinating Directors, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Coordinating Directors are duly informed.”

The government is said to be in a meeting with  Vice Chancellors Ghana  to find a solution regarding the demands of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).

UTAG  has been on strike since 10 January to demand better conditions of service.

According to the association, the government has breached the timelines agreed for resolution, hence their industrial action.

However, speaking to Beatrice Adu on the Big Bulletin on (18 January),  Bright Wireku Brobbey , the deputy minister of employment and labour relations said it was necessary to engage Vice Chancellors Ghana to explain the government’s position. He said: “In the interest of peace on campuses and regularization of activities on campuses, Vice-Chancellors Ghana will wish that this strike is over and then the teachers go back to the classrooms. So, this meeting we are having is to find an amicable resolution to the impasse.”

“…They have said they’re meeting UTAG tomorrow so, ahead of that meeting, they’re meeting the government side so we can have deliberations and bail them out for tomorrow’s meeting with UTAG leadership,” he said.

Earlier, the National Labour Commission ( NLC ) declared the strike by UTAG as illegal and directed both parties to return to the negotiating table and reach a consensus.

However, a statement from the UG chapter of UTAG, indicated that the association remains resolute to continue their industrial action until their issues are resolved.

By: Isaac Clottey