President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, 12 November 2026, met the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), led by its President, Professor Vera Ogeh Fiador.
The delegation visited the Presidency to present matters affecting their welfare and issues of national interest. These included the National Research Fund, the Book and Research Allowance for university teachers, concerns over the retirement age of university teachers, recruitments and emoluments, a demand for the removal of the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and import duty exemptions for vehicles and research equipment belonging to UTAG members.
UTAG also raised issues relating to students’ hostels, the galamsey menace, matters arising from the ongoing Constitutional Review Commission process, and the state of the economy.
The Minister for Education assured UTAG of the government’s commitment to academic freedom, adding that President Mahama’s administration is focused on providing the necessary infrastructure and support to improve the quality of education. He also informed the meeting of the ongoing work by an arbitration panel, led by his deputy, Dr Clement Apaak, to resolve the impasse between UTAG and the GTEC Director-General.
President Mahama informed the delegation of the government’s intention to partner the private sector to build hostels on the campuses of public universities. On the issue of financial clearance, he explained the tight compensation budget for all government workers, which, he said, compels the Finance Minister to carefully manage financial clearance for recruitments.
The President, however, noted that as the economy continues to expand after its recovery, it should generate a larger resource base to improve conditions of service and address related demands.
On the UTAG–GTEC Director-General impasse, he expressed the hope for an amicable solution.
Story by : Wisdom Hededzome
