Lecturers at the University of Ghana have given the government until Friday, October 16, 2026, to pay their outstanding 2026 Book and Research Allowance. If the money is not paid, the University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) says its members will withdraw all teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, 2026.
The ultimatum is in a notice of intention to embark on industrial action dated Friday, October 9, 2026, and addressed to the National Labour Commission (NLC).
The notice was signed by UTAG-UG President Dr Jerry Joe Harrison and Secretary Godfred Bright Hagan.
The association blames “persistent delays” in paying the allowance, which it says go against a 2020 agreement with the government.
UTAG-UG sets October 16 deadline for Book and Research Allowance
According to the notice, if “by Friday 16th October 2026 these monies are not paid,” members “will withdraw all teaching and related services beginning Monday 19th of October 2026.”
That gives the government one week from the date of the notice to make the payment.
The association has not said how much is owed or how many lecturers are affected.
Why UTAG-UG says the allowance is overdue
UTAG-UG says a 2020 Memorandum of Agreement between UTAG and the government requires the Book and Research Allowance to be paid by the end of August each year.
By the date of the notice, the 2026 allowance was more than five weeks past that August deadline.
The allowance supports lecturers’ academic and research work. The notice follows earlier warnings from the branch about the delays.
Disputes over the allowance are not new. GhanaTrends previously reported on a UTAG Book and Research Allowance dispute that also led to a strike threat in 2023.
Who received the UTAG-UG strike notice
The notice went to the National Labour Commission, with copies to:
- The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC)
- The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations
- The Minister for Finance
- The Minister for Education
- The Director of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
- The national president of UTAG
UTAG-UG strike timeline at a glance
- End of August: Payment deadline under the 2020 Memorandum of Agreement
- Friday, October 9, 2026: Notice of intended industrial action issued to the NLC
- Friday, October 16, 2026: Deadline for the government to pay
- Monday, October 19, 2026: Planned withdrawal of teaching and related services if unpaid
University of Ghana strike threat adds to education sector tension
The threat comes during a tense period in the education sector.
On Friday, October 9, KNUST postponed the reopening of its 2026/2027 academic year indefinitely. It cited the ongoing strike by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA). The university had planned to reopen on Tuesday, October 13, and said it would announce a new date in due course.
In pre-tertiary education, GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG suspended their strike, which began on September 25, after talks with the Council of State and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. About 51,000 teachers are expected to receive promotion arrears by October 16.
What the UTAG-UG strike threat means for University of Ghana students
If the allowance is not paid by October 16, lectures and other academic activities at the University of Ghana could be disrupted from October 19.
Students should follow official notices from the University of Ghana and UTAG-UG for updates on academic schedules.
A strike would mean lecturers stop teaching and related services. The notice does not mention research supervision or examinations separately.
What happens next
The government now has until Friday, October 16 to pay the allowance or engage the association.
The National Labour Commission, which received the notice, may step in to mediate.
The Ministries of Finance and Education had not publicly responded to the notice at the time of writing. The FWSC also had not responded.
Key details at a glance
- Union: University Teachers Association of Ghana, University of Ghana branch (UTAG-UG)
- Demand: Payment of the outstanding 2026 Book and Research Allowance
- Payment deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Planned action: Withdrawal of all teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, 2026
- Basis: 2020 Memorandum of Agreement requiring payment by the end of August each year
- Signatories: Dr Jerry Joe Harrison (President) and Godfred Bright Hagan (Secretary)
- Notice sent to: National Labour Commission
FAQs
When will UTAG-UG go on strike?
UTAG-UG says its members will withdraw teaching and related services from Monday, October 19, 2026, if the 2026 Book and Research Allowance is not paid by Friday, October 16.
What is the Book and Research Allowance?
It is a yearly allowance that supports university lecturers’ academic and research work. Under a 2020 agreement with the government, it should be paid by the end of August each year.
Will University of Ghana lectures stop?
Lectures could be disrupted from October 19 if the government does not pay by the deadline. If the allowance is paid on time, the planned action would not go ahead.
UTAG-UG has given the government until October 16 to pay the overdue 2026 Book and Research Allowance and says lecturers will withdraw teaching from October 19 if it is not paid. With KNUST already delayed by the GAUA strike, the next week will decide whether the University of Ghana’s academic calendar is disrupted too.
