UTAG threatens nationwide strike over delayed book and research allowances
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has warned that lecturers across the country's public universities could withdraw their services from Monday, June 15, if the Ministry of Finance fails to release the exchange rate required for the payment of book and research allowances.
The association says growing frustration among its members over the delay has prompted a mandate for the national leadership to take industrial action should the matter remain unresolved by the end of this week.
Speaking on the issue, UTAG General Secretary, Dr Samuel Seglah, expressed concern over the Finance Ministry's failure to announce the prevailing dollar rate used in calculating the allowances for senior members of public universities.
“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 noted that the rate is traditionally released by March each year to enable universities to process and pay the allowances on schedule.
Apart from the delay in the release of the allowance rates, UTAG is also dissatisfied with the pace of negotiations on improved conditions of service for university lecturers.
According to him, discussions have stalled pending the establishment of the Independent Emoluments Commission, while ongoing engagements with the Salaries Commission on interim arrangements are yet to be concluded and formalised.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he said.
The association has given government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, until Friday to address its concerns.
“We are giving the government, specifically the Finance Ministry, up to Friday. 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.
Should the impasse persist, academic activities across public universities could face major disruptions as lecturers prepare to embark on a nationwide strike.
The latest threat highlights increasing tensions between university teachers and government over welfare concerns and delays in resolving key remuneration issues.