Tertiary Teacher Unions Press Gov’t for Timely Payment of Book and Research Allowance
Three key tertiary teacher unions, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) have reminded government of its obligation to pay the long-awaited Book and Research Allowance (BRA) for the 2024/2025 academic year.
In a joint statement issued on September 8, 2025, the unions stressed that government must honour its commitment to disburse the allowance by September 30, 2025. They cautioned that delays could disrupt the academic calendar and undermine the delivery of quality teaching and research across Ghana’s higher education institutions.
The BRA, which reimburses lecturers for expenses on teaching and research materials from the previous academic year, ended in July 2025. With the 2025/2026 academic year set to commence later this month, the unions say they urgently require the funds to prepare adequately.
“Timely payment is essential to avoid unnecessary disruption of the academic calendar and to enable our members to effectively carry out their teaching, research and community service responsibilities,” the statement noted.
The unions further highlighted that the allowance remains a lifeline for lecturers, providing critical support to purchase books, journals, and research tools that directly contribute to national development. They warned that any delay would not only frustrate lecturers but also compromise the standard of higher education in the country.
The Book and Research Allowance has historically been a flashpoint between tertiary teacher unions and successive governments. Negotiations over its disbursement often coincide with threats of strikes, creating uncertainty for students and parents alike. By tying the allowance to research output, unions argue that the intervention directly benefits Ghana’s policy development, innovation, and overall knowledge economy.
The statement, signed by UTAG President Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, TUTAG President Prof. Uriah S. Tetteh, and CETAG President Mr. Maxwell Banu, urged both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education to expedite the release of funds to sustain industrial harmony.
“We trust that Government will honour its obligation as agreed, in order to sustain industrial harmony within our institutions,” it added.
With just weeks to the deadline, attention now turns to whether government will meet the unions’ demand. Failure to do so could set the stage for labour unrest in universities, technical universities, and colleges of education at the start of the academic year.
