The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has given the government until Tuesday, October 20, to show concrete progress towards paying lecturers’ Book and Research Allowances (BRA), delaying a decision on a planned strike.
The association says it will assess the government’s actions within the extended deadline before deciding whether to withdraw its members’ teaching services over the outstanding payments.
UTAG-UG had earlier threatened to begin a strike on October 19 if the allowances were not paid by October 16.
However, the association has temporarily held off further industrial action following assurances from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department that payment would be made by the close of Monday, October 19.
Speaking to Citi News, UTAG-UG President, Dr Jerry Joe Harrison, said the association expected the government to translate its assurances into tangible action.
“After we announced our decision to embark on strike, there have been some movements. You know that the Controller says he’s willing to pay, so if you’re willing to pay, then let’s see what actions the Controller is taking that mean that he’s going to pay,” he said.
Dr Harrison explained that the additional time would allow the association to establish whether the government was taking the necessary steps to settle the allowances.
“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 added.
He said engagements between the association and the government had influenced the decision to wait before announcing further industrial action.
“There are a few things that need to happen today, so we are giving ourselves today, tomorrow to see what happens before taking a decision. We’ve had some engagement with government, because of that we haven’t declared another strike, so we are waiting today, tomorrow to see what happens,” he said.
The dispute comes as the University of Ghana prepares to resume lectures for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The university has reopened, with students returning to their halls of residence, while lectures are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The outcome of the government’s response by Tuesday is expected to determine whether the association proceeds with its threatened strike or allows the payment process to continue without disrupting academic activities.
