Pay Us Now Or We Resume Strike – UTAG Warns Government

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) branches of the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC) and University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) have warned Government to pay outstanding promotion arrears immediately or risk the reactivation of their suspended industrial action.

In a joint press statement dated 14th September 2026, the four branches expressed grave concern over the persistent non-payment of promotion arrears owed to academic staff, despite formal authorisation by the Ministry of Finance for the release of funds.

UTAG said it suspended its intended strike in good faith to allow Government and relevant State institutions to honour their commitments without disrupting academic activities, but the continued delay now undermines the basis for the suspension.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Finance, by an official letter in July 2026, expressly authorised the Controller and Accountant-General to release funds to pay arrears for the period 2023 to 2025.

"The issue is therefore no longer whether payment has been authorised. It has. What remains is the commitment to payment," the branches stated, describing the delay as unacceptable.

They stressed that promotion arrears are not discretionary benefits but earned entitlements arising from promotions duly granted after members satisfied prescribed institutional requirements.

On industrial harmony, UTAG said good faith must be reciprocal, warning: "UTAG has exercised restraint. That restraint cannot be in perpetuity."

The four branches are demanding that the Controller and Accountant-General's Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and all relevant State institutions effect payment without further delay, and immediately resolve and communicate the administrative approval of the exemption to allow settlement of promotion arrears directly on payroll as they accrue.

They warned that further assurances without implementation will not suffice, and that failure to pay will compel them to reactivate the suspended industrial action and pursue all other lawful measures.

"Any resulting disruption to academic activities would be regrettable and entirely avoidable," the statement said.

"Our position is clear: The entitlement has been earned. Payment has been authorised. The delay has persisted. Payment must now be effected."