Three major tertiary education 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 issued a warning to the government over delays in releasing the exchange rate and payments for the 2025 Book and Research Allowance (BRA).
In a joint statement following a meeting held on June 8, 2025, the unions expressed deep frustration over what they described as an “undue delay” in the release of the applicable exchange rate and the commencement of the payment process.
According to the unions, the delay is creating "significant uncertainty and frustration" among members who rely on the allowance to fund essential academic and research activities. They stressed that the BRA is not a privilege but a statutory entitlement under their conditions of service, which plays a critical role in supporting teaching, research, and knowledge dissemination.
“Despite the late release of the rates, we have resolved that we will not accept an extension of payments beyond September 2025,” the joint statement read.
“We stress that this allowance is a statutory entitlement and an essential resource for advancing research, teaching and knowledge sharing.”
The unions have issued a firm ultimatum: if the government fails to release the exchange rate and begin the payment process by June 13, 2025, they will interpret it as a formal strike notice, and industrial action will commence across all university and college campuses.
The looming strike could severely disrupt academic activities across Ghana's tertiary institutions if the government fails to act swiftly.