The government has approved the payment of Book and Research Allowances for senior members of public universities and colleges of education.
According to reports, the Book and Research Allowances have been approved for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Academic staff will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance and $1,600 as Research Allowance. Non-academic senior staff will receive $1,500 as a Book Allowance.
The approval comes on the back of 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) threatened a nationwide strike from June 13, 2025.
According to the three Teacher Unions, their intended strike has to do with the non-payment of their book and research allowance.
In a statement signed by the three Teacher Unions, they stated, “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) wish to express our deep concern and discontent over the undue delay in releasing the exchange rate for the book and research allowance and payment.
This delay has caused significant uncertainty and frustration among our members, who depend on this critical support for their research and academic work”.
The statement added, “At a joint meeting held on June 8, 2025, we, the undersigned unions, unanimously resolved that the government must, as a matter of urgency, release the exchange rate and commence the payment process for the book and research allowance to our members.
Despite the late release of the rates, we have resolved that we will not accept an extension of payments beyond September 2025. We stress that this allowance is a statutory entitlement under our Conditions of Service and an essential resource for advancing research, teaching, and knowledge-sharing”.
UTAG, TUTAG and CETAG added, “We hereby notify all stakeholders that if the government fails to commence the payment process by the 13th of June 2025, this will be considered a strike notice by UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG across all campuses to the government.
We urge the government to act swiftly to avert any disruption to the academic calendar and to ensure that the welfare of teachers and the broader academic community is prioritised”.
