The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has announced plans to withdraw teaching and related services from October 19, 2026, if the government fails to pay its members' 2026 Book and Research Allowance. In a notice dated October 9, 2026, UTAG-UG cited persistent delays in the payment of the allowance as the reason for the planned industrial action. The association has given the government until October 16, 2026, to settle the outstanding payments.
According to UTAG-UG, the delay in payment is contrary to a Memorandum of Agreement signed between UTAG and the government in 2020, which stipulates that the allowance should be paid by the end of August each year. The association's president, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, and secretary, Godfred Bright Hagan, signed the notice, which was addressed to the National Labour Commission and other relevant authorities. Copies of the notice were also sent to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the ministers responsible for Employment and Labour Relations, Finance and Education, the Director of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the national president of UTAG.
This is not the first warning by UTAG-UG over delays in the payment of the allowance, which supports lecturers' academic and research activities. The proposed withdrawal of services could disrupt teaching and other related academic activities at the University of Ghana if the outstanding payments are not made before the deadline. The university community is likely to be affected if the strike proceeds as planned.
The 2026 Book and Research Allowance is a critical component of the lecturers' remuneration package, and its delayed payment has caused financial difficulties for many lecturers. UTAG-UG has been pressing the government to honour its commitment to paying the allowance on time. The association's threat of industrial action highlights the challenges faced by the education sector in Ghana, particularly with regards to funding and resource allocation.
The government has been urged to take immediate action to resolve the issue and prevent the strike from occurring. The Council of State has met with teacher unions over the strike, and the government has appealed to striking teachers to resume work. However, UTAG-UG remains resolute in its decision to withdraw services if its demands are not met.
The strike by UTAG-UG is likely to have significant implications for the University of Ghana and the broader education sector. Students, parents, and other stakeholders are anxiously waiting for a resolution to the impasse. The government's response to the situation will be crucial in determining the outcome.
The UTAG-UG threat comes amid similar labour disputes in the education sector. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and other teacher unions have also been involved in industrial actions over issues such as promotions and funding. The situation highlights the need for the government to address the systemic challenges facing the education sector and ensure that teachers' concerns are addressed promptly.
Key points
- UTAG-UG has threatened to withdraw teaching and related services from October 19, 2026, over delayed payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
- The association has given the government until October 16, 2026, to settle the outstanding payments.
- The proposed strike could disrupt academic activities at the University of Ghana if the demands are not met.
