TUTAG allowance: Gov’t to pay eligible members by end of September – Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (TUTAG) that the 2025/2026 Book and Research Allowance will be paid by the end of September 2026.

The assurance follows a seven-day ultimatum issued by TUTAG demanding the immediate release and payment of the allowance, with the association warning of possible industrial action if the government failed to meet its deadline.

Speaking to the media, Mr Iddrisu said the government had directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to submit the necessary data to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to facilitate the payments.

He disclosed that data for about 8,000 TUTAG members had already been captured for payment, with some expected to receive the allowance through their September salaries.

“We directed GTEC to provide data to the Controller and Accountant-General. On that, I’m happy to note that some of you will receive it in your September salary,” he said.

The Minister, however, clarified that the initial payment would not cover all eligible members because the data of some members was still being processed.

“Not all of you. I keep my word. Some of you, those whose data have so far been captured,” he added.

Mr Iddrisu said the government remained committed to paying all eligible members and stressed that the allowance was an obligation that must be honoured.

“But we are committed to honouring all,” he said, adding that as of the close of work the previous day, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department had captured data for up to 8,000 members.

TUTAG issued its seven-day ultimatum on September 15, citing the prolonged delay in paying the 2025/2026 allowance.

The association said the delay had become unacceptable, particularly as the academic year had already ended in most public universities and technical universities, with several institutions closing their academic calendars between June and August 2026.