Ghana Tertiary Unions Threaten Strike by June 13 Over Delayed Book & Research Allowances
UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG have given the government until June 13, 2025, to release delayed book and research allowances or face a nationwide strike across Ghana's tertiary institutions.
Ghana’s tertiary education system is under serious threat as three major unions — the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) — have issued a joint ultimatum to the government to release long-overdue book and research allowances by Friday, June 13, 2025, or face a coordinated nationwide strike.
Lecturers Demand Immediate Action
In a strongly worded joint statement on Monday, the unions criticized what they described as an “undue delay” in the release of the official exchange rate needed to calculate their annual allowances.
“The delay has affected academic planning and caused anxiety across campuses. Our members depend on this allowance not just for books but for core research that sustains quality education,” the statement noted.
The unions emphasized that the book and research allowance is a contractual obligation — not a discretionary grant.
“This is not a favour — it is an obligation. The government must not treat this with indifference,” they asserted.
June 13 Ultimatum: A Final Warning
Following a high-level meeting on Saturday, June 8, the unions unanimously resolved that the June 13 deadline marks the government’s final chance to meet its commitment.
While they showed flexibility regarding the delayed exchange rate, the unions made it clear that any delay in the actual disbursement of funds beyond September 2025 would not be tolerated.
“Should government fail to meet the June 13 deadline, it will be treated as an official strike notice,” the unions warned.
The potential strike is expected to impact all public universities, technical universities, and colleges of education, disrupting lectures, examinations, and graduations.
Averting a National Education Crisis
The unions appealed to the government to act swiftly to avoid plunging Ghana’s education sector into further turmoil.
“We want to teach. We want to research. But we also want what is due us. The government must act now to protect the future of Ghana’s education,” they urged.
With the deadline fast approaching and tensions rising across campuses, the focus now turns to government leaders and the Ministry of Education to respond decisively. Failure to act could paralyze academic activities nationwide and deepen the challenges already facing Ghana’s education system.
