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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has warned of a nationwide strike beginning Monday, June 15, if the Ministry of Finance fails to release the dollar exchange rate required for the payment of book and research allowances by the close of this week.
The association says the delay has caused widespread frustration among lecturers in public universities, with members mandating the national leadership to take industrial action should the matter remain unresolved.
Speaking on the issue, UTAG General Secretary, Dr. Samuel Seglah, expressed concern over the Finance Ministry’s failure to release the prevailing dollar rate used in calculating book and research 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 stated.
According to Dr. Seglah, the rates are typically released by March each year to allow universities sufficient time to process the payments.
In addition to the delayed allowances, UTAG has also raised concerns about the slow pace of negotiations on conditions of service for university lecturers.
Dr. Seglah explained that discussions have stalled pending the full operationalisation of the Independent Emoluments Commission. He added that interim arrangements being negotiated with the Salaries Commission have yet to be finalised and signed.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he said.
UTAG has given the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, until Friday to resolve the matter.
“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, lecturers across public universities could withdraw their services from next week, a move that may disrupt academic activities nationwide.
The threat highlights growing dissatisfaction among university teachers over delays in addressing key welfare and remuneration concerns.