The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has urged government to pay them their 2023/23 Book and Research Allowance (BRA) by Saturday, October 21.
They will embark an industrial action, if government refuses not to pay their allowance.
UTAG issued the warning in its communiqué released on Monday, October 16, signed by its National President, Professor Mamudu A. Akudugu, and National Secretary, Dr. Elliasu Mumuni.
According to the press released, the delay in the payment is creating tension on campuses.
“UTAG notified that the implementation of the National Research Fund should not replace the infamous Book and Research Allowance (BRA), which is a critical component of the conditions of service of the Members of UTAG and has been delayed unduly for the already completed 2022/2023 academic year as many lecturers in public universities are yet to receive this reimbursable expenditure. This is creating tension on our campus.”
“We are urging the government to ensure that all UTAG members receive their BRA by the 21st of October to avoid disrupting industrial harmony,” UTAG stated in the release.
Meanwhile, UTAG also condemned the recent media attacks the country has witnessed.
According to the association, these developments are not in the national interest.
"The Congress of UTAG observed with sadness the increasing attacks on freedom of expression and the media. These developments are not in the interest of our growing democratic dispensation.”
“The current attacks on journalists and some media houses in the country are attacks on freedom of expression as guaranteed in Chapter 12 of Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
It has thus asked the Ghana Police Service to immediately arrest and prosecute the culprits.
“Therefore condemning these acts of violence and lawlessness, UTAG commends the police for acting swiftly to arrest some individuals who recently attacked journalists and panelists at United Television (UTV).”
“We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that perpetrators of all attacks on journalists, including the one on Citi FM journalists, media houses, and killings of journalists in the country, are arrested and prosecuted without fail.”
