UTAG Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Book and Research Allowances
University lecturers across Ghana’s public universities could down tools as early as Monday, June 15, after the University Teachers Association of Ghana issued a stark ultimatum to the Ministry of Finance, demanding the immediate release of the dollar exchange rate needed to process book and research allowances for its members.
UTAG General Secretary Dr. Samuel Seglah made the threat explicit, saying lecturers have already given the national leadership the green light to proceed with industrial action if the government fails to act by the end of the week.
“The University Teachers Association of Ghana is not happy that, as we speak today, the dollar rates for the processing of our book and research allowance for senior members of public universities have not been released by the Finance Ministry,” he said.
Dr. Seglah explained that the exchange rate is ordinarily released by March each year, giving universities adequate time to calculate and disburse the allowances to senior members.
The prolonged delay — now well into June — has generated significant frustration among lecturers who have been waiting months longer than usual.
Beyond the allowances dispute, UTAG also raised concerns about the broader stagnation of negotiations over conditions of service for university lecturers.
Dr. Seglah said discussions have effectively ground to a halt pending the operationalisation of the Independent Emoluments Commission, while interim arrangements being worked out with the Salaries Commission are yet to be concluded and formally signed.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he said plainly.
The association has given the Finance Ministry until Friday to release the dollar rate, warning that failure to comply will trigger a convening of the national leadership over the weekend, after which a formal decision on industrial action will be announced.
“If the rate is not released, then on Monday, the national leadership will convene, and we will make a decision. Our members have given us the mandate to take the appropriate actions, and so we’ll lay down our tools,” Dr. Seglah warned.
A nationwide UTAG strike would affect academic activities across all public universities in Ghana, dealing a significant blow to the academic calendar at a time when institutions are already navigating competing pressures within the education sector.
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