UTAG-UG threatens strike over unpaid 2026 Book and Research Allowance

The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has threatened to withdraw teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, if the government fails to pay its members’ 2026 Book and Research Allowance by October 16.

In a notice dated Friday, October 9, 2026, and addressed to the National Labour Commission (NLC), the association expressed concern over what it described as persistent delays in paying the allowance.

UTAG-UG said the delay violates a 2020 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the association and the government. The agreement requires the allowance to be paid by the end of August each year.

The association warned that its members would withdraw all teaching and related services if the outstanding payments are not made by the October 16 deadline.

The notice was signed by UTAG-UG President Dr Jerry Joe Harrison and copied to several government agencies and officials, including the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations, Finance, and Education. It was also copied to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and UTAG’s national leadership.

The planned industrial action could disrupt lectures and other academic activities at the University of Ghana if the government fails to meet the deadline.