The Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) has threatened industrial action over the government’s delay in paying members’ 2025/2026 Book and Research Allowance.
The association has given the government until September 22, 2026, to release and pay the allowance, warning that its members could withdraw their services if the payment remains outstanding.
In a communique signed by TUTAG National President, Prof. Deodat Emilson Adenutsi, the association expressed concern over what it described as the persistent delay in disbursing the allowance.
TUTAG said the delays had undermined the purpose of the policy because payments were often made after the academic year for which the allowance was intended had ended, rather than at the beginning of the academic year.
“Given the prolonged delay and the fact that the academic year for which the allowance was intended has already ended in most institutions, TUTAG hereby gives the Government seven (7) days from the date of this press release to ensure the release and payment of the 2025/2026 Book and Research Allowance,” the communique stated.
The association warned that failure to pay within the seven-day period could lead to industrial action.
“Should the allowance remain unpaid after the expiration of this period, TUTAG members will be left with no alternative but to advise themselves, including the possible withdrawal of our services through industrial action,” it said.
TUTAG explained that the Book and Research Allowance was intended to support lecturers in conducting research, acquiring academic materials, participating in scholarly activities, preparing publications and pursuing professional development.
It argued that the allowance should be released at the beginning of the academic year to enable lecturers to plan their teaching, undertake research, purchase academic materials and prepare manuscripts for publication.
“The usefulness of an academic research allowance is substantially diminished when payment is delayed until the academic activities it is intended to support have already been undertaken, often at the personal expense of lecturers,” the association said.
According to TUTAG, the continued delays have also affected members’ ability to maintain internationally competitive standards in teaching, research, innovation and academic publishing.
The association expressed disappointment that the government had failed to honour its obligation despite several engagements with stakeholders through dialogue, consultation and constructive discussions.
“The continued postponement of payment cannot become an annual practice, particularly where the delay undermines the very objective for which the allowance was established,” it said.
TUTAG has therefore called on the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and other relevant state institutions to immediately release and pay the 2025/2026 Book and Research Allowance to all eligible members.
