The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has given the government until October 16 to pay its members’ outstanding 2026 Book and Research Allowance or face an industrial action.
The association says its members will withdraw teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, if the payment is not made by the deadline.
In a notice of intention to embark on industrial action dated October 9, 2026, UTAG-UG attributed its decision to persistent delays in the payment of the allowance, which supports lecturers’ academic and research work.
The notice, addressed to the National Labour Commission, said the delay violates a Memorandum of Agreement signed between UTAG and the government in 2020.
Under the agreement, the allowance is expected to be paid by the end of August each year.
The association has warned that failure to settle the outstanding amount by Friday, October 16, will trigger the planned withdrawal of services.
“Given the current circumstances, if by Friday 16th October 2026 these monies are not paid, members of UTAG-UG will withdraw all teaching and related services beginning Monday 19th of October 2026,” the notice stated.
The letter was signed by UTAG-UG President Dr Jerry Joe Harrison and Secretary Godfred Bright Hagan.
Copies were 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.
The latest ultimatum follows earlier concerns raised by the University of Ghana branch over delays in the payment of the allowance.
If the planned action goes ahead, teaching and other related academic activities at the University of Ghana could be disrupted.
