The government is processing the release of GH¢41 million for the payment of book and research allowances to members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) for the 2023/2024 academic year.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced this at the 14th Congregation and 96th Anniversary celebration of St. John Bosco’s College of Education in Navrongo, Upper East Region.
CETAG has been on strike since November 24, 2025, demanding full implementation of the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) May 2023 arbitral award.
Mr. Iddrisu said the Ministry of Finance is at an advanced stage of processing the funds and urged CETAG to call off the industrial action to allow academic work to resume across all colleges of education.
“I am aware that the Government, through the Minister for Finance [Dr. Ato Forson} is processing the release of GH¢41 million for your book and research allowance for 2023–2024. It is in process. It is now between the Controller and the Accountant-General’s Department and your bank accounts,” he said.
He assured CETAG members that the payments would be made promptly and expressed confidence that allowances would be disbursed within a week.
“We will pay you, and we will pay you within the next one week. By February 9, 2026, normal academic work should be restored in all colleges of education throughout Ghana,” he stated.
The Minister appealed to the striking lecturers to consider the impact of the industrial action on students, emphasising the importance of maintaining a stable academic environment conducive to effective teaching and learning.
He noted that the Government had demonstrated good faith by clearing arrears of book and research allowances inherited from previous years and encouraged CETAG to continue constructive engagement to resolve outstanding issues.
“We should not get to a point of conflict over the unpaid book and research allowance. Let us maintain a serene academic environment so that our children can learn,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dialogue and the timely fulfilment of obligations to workers in the education sector to ensure lasting stability.
