The General Secretary of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr Samuel Seglah, has warned that lecturers in public universities are prepared to embark on a nationwide strike if the Ministry of Finance fails to release the dollar exchange rate required for the payment of book and research allowances.
According to Dr Seglah, UTAG members have become increasingly frustrated over the delay and have already given the association’s national leadership the mandate to take industrial action should the issue remain unresolved by Friday.
Speaking on the matter, he expressed disappointment over the Finance Ministry’s failure to announce the prevailing exchange rate used in calculating book and research allowances for senior members of public universities.
“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,” Dr Seglah said.
He explained that the exchange rate is usually released by March each year, enabling universities to process and pay the allowances on time.
Dr Seglah also highlighted concerns over delays in negotiations regarding lecturers’ conditions of service. He noted that discussions have stalled pending the operationalisation of the Independent Emoluments Commission, while interim arrangements being negotiated with the Salaries Commission have yet to be concluded.
“Our members are not happy about this development,” he stated.
The UTAG General Secretary said the association has given the government, particularly the Ministry of Finance, until Friday to address the matter.
“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,” he said.
“Our members have given us the mandate to take the appropriate actions, and so we’ll lay down our tools.”
His comments signal growing discontent among university lecturers and raise the prospect of a nationwide strike that could disrupt academic activities across public universities if the concerns are not addressed.
CREDIT: MAVIS FANTEVI
