Ghana University Rehires Retired Lecturers to Tackle Staff Crisis

University of Ghana Re-engages Retired Lecturers Amidst Staff Shortages The University of Ghana recently took the strategic step of re-engaging retired lecturers to address significant staff shortages. Over 800 lecturers left the university in recent years due to retirement, death, or resignation. This created a considerable gap in teaching staff. To fill this gap, the university, with cabinet approval obtained in 2022, has re-engaged some retired faculty members. "Re-engaging retirees wasn’t random, it was strategic and ethical," explained Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, UTAG-UG Secretary, in a recent interview with JoyNews. He highlighted the importance of maintaining quality education despite the challenges. The re-engagement process, while intended to address immediate needs, has also sparked debate about long-term staffing solutions and the ethical implications of such practices. The re-engagement of retired lecturers is a temporary solution to the university's staffing crisis. However, it highlights the need for the University of Ghana and other institutions to develop comprehensive strategies for attracting and retaining qualified faculty in the future.