Hon. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Ghana’s Minister for Finance, has engaged with the leadership of three unions in the country’s tertiary education sector over their request concerning the Book and Research Allowance.
The meeting was held in Accra on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, with full representation from the three unions – namely, 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).
Reports suggest that the engagement was prompted by a formal request submitted by the unions regarding the disbursement of the Book and Research Allowance.
According to information received, the Finance Minister assured the unions that the allowance has been fully captured in the 2025 Budget. He added that he has since initiated the necessary processes, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to ensure its timely release.
The Minister also commended the unions for their constructive proposal to establish a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance.
He emphasized that the initiative, once operationalised, would strengthen coordination with labour stakeholders and enhance dialogue and responsiveness.
Dr. Ato Forson also used the opportunity to update the union leadership on ongoing payroll reforms, particularly the audit being conducted by the Auditor-General.
He revealed during the meeting that preliminary findings had indicated a significant number of ghost names on the payroll. “This situation, if addressed decisively, could yield substantial savings for the public purse,” the Minister emphasized.
He urged the union leaders to lend their support to this important national exercise.
“We remain committed to working closely with all stakeholders to build a sustainable, equitable, and accountable public service,” Dr. Ato Forson concluded.
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