University of Ghana lecturers give government until Tuesday over unpaid allowances

University of Ghana lecturers have given the government until Tuesday, October 20, to demonstrate concrete steps towards paying outstanding Book and Research Allowances before deciding whether to proceed with a threatened strike.

The university’s branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) had earlier threatened to withdraw teaching services from October 19 if the allowances were not paid by October 16.

But its president, Dr Jerry Joe Harrison, said the association was allowing additional time following assurances from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department that payment would be made by the end of Monday, October 19.

Speaking to Citi News, he said lecturers wanted evidence that payment was progressing before deciding their next move.

“We are giving ourselves a day to see what concrete actions are going to be taken, and then, based on that, we take the next action,” he said.

Dr Harrison said engagements with the government had prompted the association to hold off a further strike declaration while it assessed the outcome.

“There are a few things that need to happen today, so we are giving ourselves today and tomorrow to see what happens before taking a decision,” he said.

The deadline is therefore a point for the association to assess the government’s response.

The dispute comes as the University of Ghana reopens for the 2026/2027 academic year, with students settling into their halls of residence.

L

ectures are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26. Any withdrawal of teaching services extending into that period could disrupt the start of academic work.

The immediate issue is whether the promised payment materialises and whether UTAG-UG considers the government’s actions sufficient to avert industrial action.