Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has moved to reassure tertiary education unions that the much-anticipated Book and Research Allowance has been fully accounted for in the 2025 national budget.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with leaders of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Dr. Forson said the Ministry has begun processes, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, to ensure timely disbursement of the allowance.
“This engagement was necessary to respond to the unions’ concerns about the release of the Book and Research Allowance,” Dr. Forson stated. “I assured them it has been fully captured in the 2025 Budget.”
The Finance Minister also praised the unions for proposing the creation of a Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance, a move he described as “constructive” and likely to improve communication and coordination with labour groups in the future.
During the discussion, Dr. Forson turned attention to ongoing public sector payroll reforms, revealing troubling early findings from an audit led by the Auditor-General.
“Preliminary results show a significant presence of ghost names on the government payroll,” he said, describing the situation as one that “undermines fairness and drains national resources.”
He urged the unions to support the reform efforts, which he said are aimed at enhancing integrity and saving public funds.
“Cleaning the payroll is not only about fiscal prudence; it is about restoring trust in the system and ensuring that those who work and contribute to national development are the ones who are fairly compensated,” Dr. Forson added.
The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to building what he described as a “sustainable, equitable, and accountable public service,” while pledging continued dialogue with all relevant stakeholders.
The meeting marks a critical step in defusing growing concerns within the education sector, particularly as unions continue to demand more transparency and timely fulfillment of budgetary promises.
