Zimbabwean Lecturer Rejects Job Offer From Ghanaian University Over Poor Salary
A Zimbabwean lecturer has rejected an appointment from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) over poor salary.
Dr Matthew Chiwaridzo was supposed to be a senior lecturer at the Department of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences.
He mentioned that as a Senior Lecturer grade in Zimbabwe, he is paid US$1 500 per month and not the US$760.00 offered by KNUST. Said Chiwaridzo:
Please note that I am currently in the Senior Lecturer grade (ZWL 1, 561 248.00 per annum; USD 1.500 per month) at the University of Zimbabwe.
It is for this economical reason that I decline the offer of employment at KNUST and will want to explore other opportunities.
The University Teacher Association of Ghana (UTAG) has for a very long time been fighting for better conditions of service as well as a good salary for its members.
Chiwaridzo’s decision comes days after the UTAG suspended their strike over poor conditions of service and the failure of the government to resolve long-standing grievances.
The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42, but the Ghanaian government has since failed to implement that condition of service for lecturers in the country.
Below is Dr Chiwaridzo’s letter to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology authorities declining the job offer:
FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Deputy Registrar
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi Region GhanaDate: 20/08/2021
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: REPLY TO THE OFFER OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT FOR DR. MATTHEW CHIWARIDZO AT KNUST
This letter is in response to the offer letter of temporary employment for Dr Matthew Chiwaridzo dated 29 June 2021.
Thank you for offering me a senior lecturer post at KNUST in the Department of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, College of Health Sciences. I am so grateful for your consideration.
Unfortunately, I have to decline the offer on the following basis: 1. The basic salary proposed for me as Senior Lecturer at KNUST of 55 104.05 Ghanaian cedis per annum (USD 760.00 per month) is not comparable to a monthly basic salary of a Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (ZWL 1 293 708.00 per annum, USD 1.283 per month).
Please note that I am currently in the Senior Lecturer grade (ZWZ 1561 248.00 per annum: USD 1.500 per month) at the University of Zimbabwe by virtue of having a doctorate degree specialising in Physiotherapy.
35 publications, 2 awarded grant projects and 7 years of satisfactory teaching, industrialisation, innovation and research experience.
It is for this economical reason alone that I decline the offer of employment at KNUST and will want to explore other opportunities.
I certainly hope you understand my situation.
Thank you so much for your consideration.
