The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from Monday, June 15, 2026, if the Ministry of Finance fails to release the dollar exchange rate required for the payment of book and research allowances to lecturers in public universities.
According to the association, the delay has generated widespread frustration among its members, who have already given the national leadership the mandate to take industrial action should the issue remain unresolved by the end of the week.
Speaking on the matter, UTAG General Secretary, Dr Samuel Seglah, expressed disappointment over what he described as the Ministry of Finance’s failure to release the prevailing dollar rate used in calculating book and research allowances for senior members of public universities.
“The University Teachers Association of Ghana is not happy that, as we speak today, the dollar rates for the processing of our book and research allowance for senior members of public universities have not been released by the Finance Ministry,” he said.
Dr Seglah explained that the exchange rate is usually released by March each year to enable universities to process and pay the allowances on time.
He noted that the delay has heightened dissatisfaction among lecturers, who are already concerned about the slow pace of negotiations on their conditions of service.
According to him, discussions on conditions of service have stalled pending the operationalisation of the Independent Emoluments Commission, while interim arrangements being negotiated with the Salaries Commission are yet to be finalised and signed.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he stated.
UTAG has given the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, until Friday to address the concerns.
“We are giving the government, specifically the Finance Ministry, up to Friday. If the rate is not released, then on Monday, the national leadership will convene, and we will make a decision.
“Our members have given us the mandate to take the appropriate actions, and so we’ll lay down our tools,” Dr Seglah warned.