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Lecturers at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES) at Akyem Bonsu in the Eastern Region said the non-payment of their 12 months salary arrears is ripping their families apart.

According to them, as breadwinners, they are however unable to fulfill their financial obligations to support their families a situation affecting their Marriages and Children’s upkeep.

They said this when they joined the administrative staff including Cleaners and Security personnel of the University Wednesday to protest in demand for payment of their 12 months salary arrears by Management.

According to the agitating staff clad in a red armband, they have not been paid their salaries since July 2019 as well as their Social Security Contributions which has affected the renewal of their National Health Insurance Scheme.

The University College currently has about 30 lecturers some being part-time Lecturers but they are demoralized by the non-payment of their salary arrears and poor working environment.

They have given a week ultimatum to clear the arrears threatening to take further action.

The Student Representative Council also took part in the protest.

Madam Gbefa Isabella -SRC General Secretary said the situation has affected teaching and learning.

She said about 200 students in the University are in dilemma over their fate hence appealed to management to resolve the impasse.

The University College Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES), a tertiary institution established in 2006 by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council under the authority of the Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin II is a first private university in Africa dedicated to agriculture and environmental studies.

However, it has since its inception gone through financial and academic challenges affecting the growth of the University.

The University College offers Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs in Sustainable Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, Environmental Science, Waste Management and Environmental Health.

This is not the first time Lecturers at the University College are protesting over nonpayment of salaries.

In 2019, the lecturers and administrative staff went on strike which brought academic activities to a halt on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Meanwhile, Authorities of the university are yet to respond to this news item.