Ghanaian university lecturers threaten strike over delayed book and research allowance payments
via GhanaWeb2 min read
The University Teachers Association of Ghana UTAG has warned of a nationwide strike by lecturers in public universities starting Monday, June 15, 2026. This action would occur if the government fails to release the dollar exchange rate necessary for book and research allowance payments. UTAG General Secretary, Samuel Seglah, expressed frustration over the Ministry of Finance's delay in providing the prevailing dollar rate, which is typically released in March annually to facilitate timely processing of allowances for senior university members. Seglah also noted dissatisfaction with the slow progress in negotiations regarding improved conditions of service for lecturers, attributing delays to the pending operationalization of the Independent Emoluments Commission and unfinalized interim arrangements with the Salaries Commission. UTAG has given the Ministry of Finance until Friday, June 12, 2026, to resolve the issue, stating that failure to do so will lead to industrial action and disruption of academic activities across public universities.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the government's decision to maintain tight public spending, attributing it to commitments under the International Monetary Fund IMF program. His remarks address criticism from the Minority, which claims the government is not spending despite improved economic indicators. Dr. Forson explained that the current administration inherited obligations from the previous New Patriotic Party NPP government's US$3 billion IMF bailout, which included a commitment to achieve a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product GDP. He emphasized that IMF agreements are with the government, not political parties, and his administration is responsible for honoring these commitments to ensure Ghana successfully completes the program. The Minister also stated that government spending alone cannot resolve all economic challenges, particularly inflation driven by food prices and global fuel shocks. He noted that fiscal policy must work with monetary policy, highlighting an amendment to the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank. Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the government's disciplined fiscal approach would keep inflation within the target range, hoping to end the year with inflation at 5 percent.
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A Ghanaian mother has gained widespread attention for her passionate coaching of her daughter, Gakye Nicky, during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ championship. In a video that has circulated widely, the mother is heard shouting instructions in a Ghanaian language from the sidelines as her daughter competed. Her energetic encouragement included urging her daughter not to give up and to "break her hand" and "make sure she cries." The video was shared with a caption stating that the mother's coaching helped her daughter secure a gold medal in the martial art.