The government has announced a major boost in funding for tertiary education staff, increasing the Book and Research Allowance from GH¢408 million to GH¢610 million for 2025.
The decision, revealed by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, is expected to calm growing tensions with university and college teaching unions who had threatened a nationwide strike over payment delays.
Speaking at the 22nd Biennial Conference of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on Tuesday, September 30, Mr Iddrisu assured lecturers that the government remained fully committed to supporting academic research and improving the welfare of teaching staff.
“In the last few months, there was a threat and the semblance of a strike in the name of book and research allowance. I am happy to note that from GH¢408 million for the year, this year the government is committing GH¢610 million to honour your book and research allowance. And that is in process,” the minister declared to applause.
The increase follows weeks of agitation from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
All three groups had warned that the government’s delay in disbursing the allowance was crippling research and teaching in their institutions.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance are working closely to ensure the timely release of the funds.
The announcement comes as a strategic move to avert industrial action that could have disrupted academic calendars across the country.
For years, tertiary education unions have argued that inadequate and delayed book and research allowances stifle innovation, diminish the quality of teaching, and make it difficult for Ghanaian lecturers to compete with peers globally.
The fresh injection of GH¢610 million, they believe, will not only resolve outstanding tensions but also serve as proof of the government’s recognition of the central role research plays in national development.
Union leaders are yet to officially respond to the announcement, but early indications suggest the increased allocation could ease hostilities and allow for renewed dialogue between the government and the academic community.
