UTAG Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Delayed Book and Research Allowances

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 15, if the Ministry of Finance fails to release the dollar exchange rate needed for the payment of book and research allowances by the end of this week.

According to UTAG, the delay in releasing the rate has created frustration among lecturers in public universities, with members already mandating national leadership to take industrial action if the issue is not resolved promptly.

Speaking on the matter, UTAG General Secretary, Dr. Samuel Seglah, expressed dissatisfaction over the Finance Ministry’s failure to provide the official dollar rate used in calculating the allowances for senior university staff. He noted that the rate is typically released by March each year to allow for timely processing of payments.

Beyond the allowance issue, UTAG also raised concerns about stalled negotiations on conditions of service for lecturers. Dr. Seglah explained that discussions have been delayed pending the establishment of the Independent Emoluments Commission, while interim arrangements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission are yet to be finalized.

UTAG has therefore given the government until Friday to address the concerns. If no action is taken, the association says its national leadership will meet to decide the next line of action, including a possible strike that could disrupt academic activities across public universities nationwide.