BY Issah Olegor
A nationwide strike by university lecturers could begin as early as Monday, June 15, 2026, after the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) issued a final ultimatum to the government over delays in the release of the dollar exchange rate used to calculate book and research allowances for lecturers in public universities.
The threat of industrial action has heightened concerns about potential disruptions to academic activities across the public tertiary institutions at a time when universities are grappling with broader challenges relating to staff welfare, funding and conditions of service.
UTAG says its members have become increasingly frustrated by what they describe as the Ministry of Finance’s failure to release the applicable exchange rate needed to process the annual book and research allowance payments due senior members of public universities.
The allowance, which forms part of the negotiated conditions of service for university lecturers, is intended to support academic research, publication, teaching materials and professional development activities. For many lecturers, the allowance serves as a critical source of funding for research work, conference participation and the acquisition of academic resources.
Traditionally, the Ministry of Finance releases the approved exchange rate by March each year, enabling universities to begin the administrative processes required for payment.
However, with the first half of 2026 nearing completion, UTAG says the rate has still not been communicated to the universities, creating uncertainty and delaying the payment process.
Addressing the issue, UTAG General Secretary Dr. Samuel Seglah expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay and accused the Finance Ministry of failing to meet its obligations under existing agreements.
“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 stated.
According to him, the continued delay has generated widespread dissatisfaction among lecturers, many of whom rely on the allowance to support their academic responsibilities and professional advancement.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of recurring tensions between university lecturers and successive governments over conditions of service, remuneration and welfare concerns.
Over the years, UTAG has repeatedly embarked on strike actions to demand improved salaries, better working conditions and the fulfillment of negotiated agreements. Several of those industrial actions have led to the temporary closure of universities and disruptions to academic calendars across the country.
The latest disagreement appears to extend beyond the delayed release of the exchange rate.
UTAG has also raised concerns about ongoing negotiations regarding the conditions of service for university lecturers, which the association says have stalled due to delays in operationalizing the Independent Emoluments Commission.
The Commission is expected to play a key role in determining remuneration and benefits for public sector workers, including university lecturers.
According to UTAG, while interim discussions have been taking place with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission regarding temporary arrangements, those negotiations have yet to be finalized and formally signed.
Dr. Seglah indicated that the lack of progress on both issues has contributed to growing frustration among members.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he stressed.
The association has therefore issued what amounts to a final warning to the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, demanding immediate action before the end of the week.
UTAG leaders say they have been given a clear mandate by members to initiate industrial action if the concerns remain unresolved by Friday.
“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,” Dr. Seglah warned.
He added that members across the country’s public universities have already authorized the national leadership to take whatever action is necessary to compel government to address the matter.
“Our members have given us the mandate to take the appropriate actions, and so we’ll lay down our tools,” he declared.
The threat of a nationwide strike raises the prospect of disruptions to lectures, examinations, research activities and administrative functions in public universities if a resolution is not reached before the deadline.
Students, university administrators and education stakeholders are therefore closely monitoring developments as negotiations continue behind the scenes.
The latest standoff also comes at a time when the government is pursuing a broader agenda of educational reforms, including infrastructure expansion, improvements in student welfare and increased investment in the education sector.
However, labour experts note that unresolved concerns regarding staff welfare and compensation continue to pose significant challenges to the effective delivery of higher education services.
Historically, disputes involving UTAG have often required high-level government intervention before resolutions could be achieved.
Observers believe the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the Ministry of Finance moves quickly to release the exchange rate and address the concerns raised by lecturers or whether Ghana’s public universities will once again face widespread disruptions resulting from industrial action.
