UTAG gives gov't last chance to pay book, research allowances

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a final warning to the government to pay the book and research allowances due its members.

This was after members of UTAG held an emergency meeting on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

The members of the Association were in favour of an industrial action over the government’s failure to meet their demands.

However, the Association has given the government until Friday, August 10, 2018, to pay their 2017/2018 book and research allowances.

The initial ultimatum they gave elapsed on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

In a statement signed by UTAG President Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah, it said that “We have received assurances from the government through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education of Finance and the Ministry of Education that payment would be made by Friday, 10th August”

“The leadership of UTAG wants to take government by its word but if Government reneges on its promise, then we would not be available in the lecture rooms by re-opening of Public Universities for the 2018/2019 Academic Year.”

Meanwhile, UTAG has urged restraint from its members.

“We are by this release urging all UTAG members to remain calm while leadership monitors the situation,” the statement concluded.

The book and research allowances are provided by the government to public universities for the purpose of the funding researches in academia for national development.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) earlier demanded that the ministries of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations provide it with measures put in place to prevent the strike.

The NLC also appealed to UTAG not to embark on a strike, as the commission made efforts to address the issue.