UTAG Gives Government June 30 Deadline, Threatens Strike
June 22, 2026
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a June 30, 2026 deadline to the government to address a number of outstanding conditions-of-service and welfare concerns affecting members across public universities or risk a nationwide industrial action.
In a statement issued following its National Executive Council (NEC) quarterly meeting held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho on June 18, UTAG expressed dissatisfaction with delays in implementing agreements and settling outstanding obligations owed to university teachers.
The association said the unresolved issues continue to undermine confidence in the collective bargaining process and negatively affect staff welfare and the smooth operation of public universities.
Key Concerns
Among the major concerns raised by UTAG is the government's failure to sign and implement the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement, which was negotiated and agreed upon by all parties as a temporary measure pending a comprehensive salary review by the Independent Emoluments Commission (IEC), expected to take effect in January 2027.
UTAG also cited challenges relating to post-retirement contract renewals and staff rollover arrangements following changes in directives issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). According to the association, delays in the approval, regularisation, and placement of affected staff on government payroll continue to disrupt academic activities.
The association further noted that the government component of the Online Teaching Support Allowance (OTSA) for Research Fellows and Academic Librarians remains unpaid.
Other concerns include unpaid salary arrears owed to some staff of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), promotion arrears due to qualified staff in several public universities, and the outstanding University component of OTSA for staff of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD).
UTAG also expressed concern over delays in the processing and payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance, describing the situation as inconsistent with established practice.
Demands to Government
UTAG is calling on the government to:
Sign and implement the Interim Salary Adjustment Agreement;
Resolve post-retirement contract and staff rollover challenges affecting universities;
Pay the government component of OTSA owed to Research Fellows and Academic Librarians;
Facilitate payment of the University component of OTSA for UESD staff;
Settle all outstanding promotion arrears;
Pay salary arrears owed to affected UniMAC staff;
Expedite the processing and payment of the 2026 Book and Research Allowance.
Strike Threat
The association warned that if the outstanding matters are not satisfactorily resolved by June 30, all UTAG branches nationwide will, within five working days after the deadline, begin consultations with members to secure the necessary mandate for industrial action in accordance with the UTAG Constitution and Ghana's Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, UTAG stressed that the persistent failure to honour negotiated agreements threatens industrial harmony within Ghana's public university system.
The association has therefore urged the government to demonstrate good faith by fulfilling its commitments without further delay to avert a potential nationwide strike.
