Tensions are rising across Ghana’s tertiary education sector as three major unions — the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) — have jointly issued a stern warning to the government over unpaid book and research allowances.

In a statement released on Monday, June 9, the unions expressed deep frustration over what they described as an “undue delay” in releasing the exchange rate required to compute the allowances.

They said the delay has created significant uncertainty among members, many of whom depend on the funds to support ongoing academic and research activities.

The unions, following a meeting on June 8, indicated that while they are willing to accept the late release of the exchange rate, they will not tolerate any extension of actual payments beyond September 2025.

They stressed that the allowance is a statutory obligation enshrined in their Conditions of Service—not a discretionary gesture by the government.

They have given the government until June 13, 2025, to settle the allowance or face nationwide industrial action across public universities, technical universities, and colleges of education. Failure to meet the deadline, they warned, would serve as a formal strike notice.

The unions urged the government to act swiftly to prevent a major disruption of the academic calendar and to safeguard the welfare of teaching staff and the broader stability of Ghana’s higher education system.