Prof. Vera O. Fiador
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued an ultimatum to government, warning of possible industrial action if outstanding conditions of service for academic staff are not resolved by June 30, 2026.
The decision was taken by UTAG’s National Executive Council at its quarterly meeting held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho.
In a statement signed by National President Prof. Vera O. Fiador and National Secretary Samuel Kingsford Seglah, PhD, the association said delays from government are “unacceptable and risk further undermining confidence in the collective bargaining process.”
UTAG outlined seven unresolved demands: immediate signing and implementation of the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement; resolution of post-retirement contract and staff rollover challenges; payment of government’s component of the Online Teaching Support Allowance (OTSA) for research fellows and academic librarians; facilitation of the university component of OTSA for University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) staff; settlement of all outstanding promotion arrears; payment of salary arrears for staff of the Institute of Languages and Institute of Film and Television at University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC); and expedited processing and payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
The association said negotiations on the Interim Salary Adjustment have concluded with consensus from all parties, but government has yet to sign.
The adjustment is meant as temporary relief pending a comprehensive salary review by the Independent Emoluments Commission set to begin January 2027. UTAG also cited persistent challenges with post-retirement contract renewals after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) reversed its directive.
Delays in approval, regularisation, and payroll placement by GTEC, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and the Ministry of Finance are disrupting staffing and university operations, it said. Other outstanding issues include unpaid OTSA components for staff at UESD, as well as salary and promotion arrears owed to staff at UniMAC and several public universities.
If government fails to meet the June 30 deadline, UTAG said all branches will begin consultations within five working days to secure members’ mandate for “appropriate industrial action” under the UTAG Constitution and Labour Act, 2003.
While reaffirming commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, UTAG urged government to demonstrate good faith by honouring all commitments to university teachers without further delay.
By Florence Adom Asamoah