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 strong ultimatum to the government.
They are demanding the immediate release of the applicable exchange rate and the commencement of payments for the 2025 Book and Research Allowance (BRA), and have warned that failure to meet their June 13 deadline will be treated as a strike notice.
“At a joint meeting – we, the undersigned unions, unanimously resolved that the government must, as a matter of urgency, release the exchange rate and commence the payment process for the book and research allowance to our members”
Teachers’ Unions
In a joint statement signed and released by all three national executives and secretaries, the unions expressed deep concern over the continued delay in the determination and release of the exchange rate, which is crucial for calculating the BRA amount due to their members.
According to the statement, the delay has triggered significant uncertainty and frustration across campuses and threatens to destabilise academic operations. The associations were clear in asserting that the BRA is not a goodwill gesture, but an entitlement.
“We stress that this allowance is a statutory entitlement under our Conditions of Service,” the statement read.
They argued that this allowance plays a central role in enabling faculty members to “conduct research, publish academic work,” and contribute meaningfully to national development through knowledge generation.
In addition to their demand for immediate payment initiation, UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG stated firmly that they will not accept any extension of the payment timeline beyond September 2025. They emphasized that any further delay will be interpreted as a “breach” of the government’s contractual obligations.
Impending Strike
The unions did not mince words about the potential consequences of continued inaction. They served notice that should the government fail to begin the payment process by June 13, 2025, the joint communiqué will be treated as a formal strike notice.
The action, according to the statement, will involve all UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG members across all public universities, technical universities, and colleges of education.
The unions urged swift and decisive action to avert disruption to the academic calendar, particularly in a period marked by ongoing efforts to stabilise Ghana’s education sector following previous interruptions.
While reaffirming their commitment to education and national development, the three bodies reminded the government of the wider implications of delay, warning that the failure to act promptly would affect students, and erode the morale of faculty members nationwide.
“We urge the government – to ensure that the welfare of teachers and the broader academic community is prioritised”
Teachers Unions
The statement was signed by Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu (UTAG National President), Prof. Uriah S. Tetteh (TUTAG President), Mr. Maxwell Bunu (CETAG National President), Prof. Eliasu Mumuni (UTAG National Secretary), Mr. Samuel Jabez Arkaifie (TUTAG General Secretary), and Mr. Fidelis Kamaayi (CETAG National Secretary).
Their unified front underscores the seriousness of the issue and signals a potentially turbulent standoff between academic unions and the state unless immediate redress is provided.
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