UTAG gives government June 30 deadline to address welfare concerns or face nationwide strike
UTAG demands immediate action on salary adjustments, allowances, arrears, and staff welfare issues, warning that failure to resolve concerns by June 30 could trigger a nationwide strike across public universities.
The Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a strong warning to government, demanding the resolution of several outstanding conditions-of-service and welfare issues by June 30, 2026, or risk a nationwide industrial action across public universities.
The ultimatum was announced following a statutory quarterly meeting of UTAG’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on June 18 at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho.
The meeting reviewed issues relating to member welfare, governance of the association, and the state of higher education in the country.
According to UTAG, several key matters remain unresolved despite previous engagements with government and relevant state institutions. Among the concerns is the failure to sign the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, which was negotiated and agreed upon by all parties.
The association explained that the adjustment is intended to provide temporary relief to university staff pending a comprehensive salary review by the Independent Emoluments Commission, expected to take effect in January 2027.
UTAG also cited persistent challenges involving post-retirement contract renewals and academic staff rollover processes following the reversal of a directive by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
The association said delays in approvals, regularisation, and payroll placement by GTEC, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and the Ministry of Finance continue to affect staffing levels and the effective operation of public universities.
Other grievances include the non-payment of the government component of the Online Teaching Support Allowance (OTSA) for Research Fellows and Academic Librarians, outstanding salary arrears owed to some staff of the University of Media, Arts and Communication, unpaid promotion arrears for qualified staff across several universities, and delays in the payment of the university component of OTSA for staff of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development.
The association further expressed concern over delays in processing and paying the 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
To address the situation, UTAG is calling on government to immediately sign and implement the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, resolve all post-retirement contract and rollover challenges, settle outstanding allowances and arrears, and expedite the payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
The association warned that if the issues are not satisfactorily resolved by June 30, all UTAG branches will begin consultations within five working days to secure the necessary mandates from members for industrial action in accordance with the Labour Act and the association’s constitution.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, UTAG stressed that the persistent failure to honour negotiated agreements undermines confidence in the collective bargaining process and threatens industrial harmony within Ghana’s public universities.
The association therefore urged government to demonstrate good faith by fulfilling its commitments to university teachers without further delay.
The statement was jointly signed by UTAG National President, Prof. Vera O. Fiador, and National Secretary, Samuel Kingsford Seglah.
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