The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has threatened to withdraw teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, 2026, if the government fails to pay its members’ outstanding 2026 Book and Research Allowance by the stipulated deadline.
In a notice of intention to embark on industrial action dated October 9, 2026, the association expressed concern over persistent delays in the payment of the allowance, which supports lecturers’ academic and research activities.
The notice, addressed to the National Labour Commission (NLC), stated that the delay contravened 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.
UTAG-UG has given the government until Friday, October 16, 2026, to settle the outstanding payments, warning that failure to meet the deadline would trigger industrial action.
“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 the association’s president, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, and its secretary, Godfred Bright Hagan.
Copies of the notice 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 threat follows previous warnings by the University of Ghana branch over delays in the payment of the allowance.
If the government fails to settle the outstanding amount before the deadline, the planned withdrawal of services could disrupt teaching and other academic activities at the University of Ghana, potentially affecting students and the university’s academic calendar.
