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 October 16 deadline. Corrections Policy
The association says the planned industrial action has become necessary following persistent delays in the payment of the allowance, which supports lecturers’ academic work, research activities and access to professional learning materials.
In a notice of intention to embark on industrial action dated Friday, October 9, and addressed to the National Labour Commission (NLC), UTAG-UG expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the government’s failure to meet an existing commitment on the payment schedule.
According to the association, the delay violates a Memorandum of Agreement signed between UTAG and the government in 2020. The agreement stipulates that the Book and Research Allowance should be paid by the end of August each year.
UTAG-UG has therefore given the government until Friday, October 16, to settle the outstanding payments, warning that failure to do so will trigger the withdrawal of services three days later.
“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 were sent to key public institutions and government officials responsible for labour relations, finance, education and tertiary education administration.
Among those notified were the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the ministers responsible for Employment and Labour Relations, Finance and Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and the national president of UTAG.
The proposed action raises the possibility of disruption to teaching and other academic activities at the University of Ghana if the disagreement is not resolved before the deadline.
The Book and Research Allowance is intended to support lecturers in carrying out their academic responsibilities.
University teaching often requires access to books, journals, scholarly publications, research materials and other resources needed to prepare lectures, supervise students and contribute to academic knowledge.
For lecturers, delays in receiving such support can create difficulties in planning and financing research-related activities.
The allowance is therefore an important component of the broader discussion about conditions of service and the resources available to academic staff.
UTAG-UG’s latest warning follows earlier concerns over the same issue.
In September, the branch president, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, warned that continued delays in paying the 2026 allowance could push members towards industrial action. Editorial Ethics & Independence
At the time, he expressed frustration over the recurring nature of the problem and called for the relevant authorities to address the issue.
The latest notice indicates that the association has now set a specific deadline and identified the action it intends to take if payment is not made.
The dispute also comes amid broader discussions about staff welfare, remuneration and the implementation of agreements between university lecturers and the government.
UTAG has previously raised concerns about outstanding allowances and salary-related matters affecting academic staff across public universities.
However, the immediate issue identified in the October 9 notice is the unpaid 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
The association’s deadline gives the government and the institutions involved a limited period to resolve the matter before the planned withdrawal of services begins.
A strike at the University of Ghana could affect lectures, student consultations, supervision, assessments and other academic activities, depending on the extent of participation by members and the duration of any industrial action.
Students could face uncertainty over teaching schedules, while the university may have to consider adjustments if services are withdrawn.
The potential disruption also highlights the importance of timely communication between government, university management and organised labour. Clear information on payment arrangements and implementation timelines could help reduce uncertainty and support efforts to prevent industrial action.
For now, UTAG-UG’s position is conditional members are expected to withdraw teaching and related services from October 19 if the outstanding allowance is not paid by October 16.
The announced action is therefore a warning of possible disruption rather than confirmation that a strike has already begun.
The coming days will be important in determining whether the government and the relevant agencies can settle the outstanding payment and avert the planned action. Editorial Standards
Meeting the deadline would remove the immediate trigger identified in the notice, while any continued delay could deepen tensions between the association and the authorities.
The situation places renewed attention on the implementation of agreements governing university staff conditions of service and the need for commitments to be honoured within agreed timelines.
For lecturers and students at the University of Ghana, the priority will be a resolution that addresses the outstanding allowance while allowing teaching and academic activities to continue without interruption.