UTAG gives Ghana government June 30 deadline over pay and welfare disputes

The Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has given the government until 30 June to address a range of unresolved salary and welfare concerns affecting academic staff at public universities, warning that failure to do so could trigger industrial action.

The ultimatum was issued following a meeting of UTAG's National Executive Council (NEC) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, where members reviewed welfare issues and the state of higher education in the country.

In a statement, the association expressed concern over what it described as persistent delays in implementing agreements reached between government and organised labour, saying the situation was undermining confidence in the collective bargaining process.

Among the key concerns is the government's failure to sign an Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, despite negotiations having been concluded and consensus reached by all parties. The agreement is intended to provide temporary salary relief pending a broader review by the Independent

Emoluments Commission, which is expected to take effect in January 2027.

UTAG also cited delays in the renewal of post-retirement contracts and the regularisation of academic staff rollover arrangements. It said hold-ups involving the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Controller and Accountant-General's Department and the Ministry of Finance were affecting staffing levels and disrupting university operations.

The association further raised concerns over unpaid allowances, including the government's share of the Online Teaching Support Allowance (OTSA) for Research Fellows and Academic Librarians.

It said salary arrears owed to some staff at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), promotion-related arrears at several public universities, and the institutional component of OTSA for staff at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) also remain outstanding.

UTAG added that the processing and payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance had been delayed.

The association is calling on the government to sign and implement the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, resolve outstanding contract and payroll issues, and settle all unpaid allowances and arrears.

It warned that if the issues remain unresolved by 30 June, UTAG branches nationwide will begin consultations within five working days to seek members' approval for possible industrial action, in accordance with the Labour Act and the association's constitution.

Despite the warning, UTAG said it remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement with the government.

However, it cautioned that continued delays in honouring agreed commitments could damage trust between the parties and threaten industrial harmony across Ghana's public university system.