Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education
In an interactive session with staff of the UG Press recently, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education, explained the purpose for holding a separate session for the UG Press after his initial interaction with the College Staff. This, he said, would facilitate discussions regarding relevant issues related to the operation of the UG press.
Mr. Nicholas Graham, Manager of the UG Press
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Nicholas Graham, Manager of the UG Press, provided an overview of the press’s achievement to date and extended a warm welcome to all present.
Cross-section of staff
As the discussion unfolded, staff expressed concern about the distribution of workload and the resulting pressure on them. They advocated for additional staff to ensure efficient completion of tasks within deadlines. Another pressing concern was overtime, with staff complaining of its health effect. They also indicated how they often multitask and even sleep at work to meet tight deadlines. Lastly, staff requested for risk allowance due to exposure.
A staff contributing to the discussion
Commenting on the issue of health hazard, Mr. Graham, explained that staff had been provided with safety gears to protect them from work-related hazards. He cautioned that disciplinary actions would be strictly taken against those who violate this rule.
A staff contributing to the discussion
In response to these concerns, the Provost acknowledged the freeze on employment but assured that slots would be prioritised with the press in mind when the freeze is lifted. He added that although there may be fewer slots than required, the UG Press needs to be innovative and suggested that National Service Personnel could be engaged in non-technical tasks to ease workload.
A Cross-section of staff
Prof. Codjoe stressed the importance of providing protective gear to safeguard workers' health and urged strict adherence to safety protocols. “Let’s prioritise prevention over managing illness due to exposure,” he remarked.
Finally, the Provost assured another engagement with the UG Press before the end of year to review progress.
Ms Ivy Amekudzi delivering closing remarks
In her closing remarks, Ms. Ivy Amekudzi, a Senior Printing Assistant, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the staff to the Provost for his proactive approach in responding to their request for a separate meeting. She also thanked him for his commitment to addressing the concerns of the staff and creating a more conducive working environment at the UG Press.