Mahama discusses lecturers’ welfare, university funding with UTAG

President John Dramani Mahama has engaged the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on a range of concerns, including lecturers’ welfare, recruitment challenges, research funding and tensions with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The discussions took place at the Presidency on Thursday, November 12, 2026, when a delegation led by UTAG President, Professor Vera Ogeh Fiador, met the President to present issues affecting university teachers and the wider tertiary education sector.

The association raised concerns about the proposed National Research Fund, the Book and Research Allowance, the retirement age of university lecturers, recruitment and emoluments, as well as its demand for the removal of the GTEC Director-General.

UTAG also pushed for import duty exemptions on vehicles and research equipment owned by its members. The delegation further discussed the need for more student hostel facilities, illegal small-scale mining, the ongoing constitutional review process and the state of the economy.

The Education Minister assured the lecturers that the government remained committed to safeguarding academic freedom, stressing that its priority was to provide the infrastructure and institutional support required to improve educational standards.

He also updated the association on steps being taken to resolve its disagreement with the GTEC Director-General, indicating that an arbitration panel chaired by his Deputy, Dr Clement Apaak, was working towards settling the matter.

On accommodation challenges in public universities, President Mahama disclosed the government's intention to collaborate with private investors to construct student hostels on university campuses.

He also addressed UTAG's concerns about delays in recruitment, explaining that the tight compensation budget for public sector workers had made it necessary for the Finance Minister to exercise control over financial clearance for new appointments.

The President, however, expressed confidence that continued economic growth following the country's recovery would expand available resources, creating room to improve conditions of service and address outstanding demands.

On the UTAG-GTEC dispute, he called for an amicable settlement, expressing the hope that both parties would reach a resolution to ease tensions within the tertiary education sector.