The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has asked government to ensure the timely payment of the Book and Research Allowance (BRA) to all its members latest by September 2025.
UTAG warned that failure by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies to honour the payment by the deadline could trigger industrial action.
This call was made in a statement dated June 25, following UTAG’s Third Quarter National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting held at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) in Kumasi.
“UTAG reminds the government of the critical importance of the timely release of the Book and Research Allowance (BRA) for the 2024/2025 academic year, which is almost at an end. We expect that all members of UTAG across the various universities receive their BRA for the current academic year as soon as practicable,” the statement read in part.
It added: “We therefore urge the relevant ministries and agencies — the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department — to expedite the disbursement. We further urgently remind the government of the September 2025 deadline for full payment to avoid any industrial actions.”
UTAG’s call comes weeks after it joined forces with the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to issue a stern ultimatum to government over delays in releasing the allowance.
In a joint press release dated June 9, 2025, the three unions expressed frustration over the government’s failure to announce the official exchange rate and begin disbursement, describing the delay as “undue” and “deeply concerning.”
To avert the looming strike, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson held a meeting with the union leaders on June 10, assuring them that the allowance, which is captured in the 2025 budget, would be released soon.
