The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has served notice of its intention to embark on an industrial action over the government’s persistent delay in paying the Book and Research Allowance (BRA) due to members across 11 public universities in Ghana.
In a letter dated October 27, 2025, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC) and signed by Prof. Vera O. Fiador, National President, and Dr. Samuel Kingsford Seglah, National Secretary, UTAG stated that the strike action will take effect from Thursday, November 6, 2025, if the government fails to pay the outstanding allowances.
According to the statement, UTAG’s decision follows what it described as the employer’s undue delay in releasing the BRA for the current academic year, despite repeated engagements and deadlines.
“The Employer has unduly delayed payment of the Book and Research Allowance (BRA) to UTAG members. The BRA forms an integral part of our negotiated conditions of service, and its non-payment constitutes a violation of the established agreements between UTAG and the Employer,” the statement read.
The Association noted that it had previously given the government until September 30, 2025, to fulfill its obligation, but the deadline passed without any action. As a gesture of good faith, UTAG granted an additional one-month grace period, which also expired without resolution.
Out of 15 public universities, the statement revealed that only four institutions have received their BRA payments, leaving 11 universities without any assurance or payment timeline.
The decision to strike was taken during an Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Monday, October 27, 2025, where members resolved that failure to pay the outstanding BRA by the end of October would trigger a nationwide industrial action.
UTAG emphasized that its move is in strict compliance with Sections 159 and 160 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which grants workers the right to take lawful industrial action after due notice.
Despite the intended strike, the association reiterated its commitment to dialogue and industrial harmony, but said government’s persistent neglect of agreed obligations had left them with “no alternative but to exercise their lawful right to strike in defence of members’ welfare and the sanctity of collective agreements.”
