Government has approved the payment of Book and Research Allowances for senior members of public universities and colleges of education for the 2024/2025 academic year, Citi News can confirm.

Under the approved structure, academic staff will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance and $1,600 as Research Allowance. Non-academic senior staff will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance. The cedi equivalent is to be calculated using the Bank of Ghana’s average exchange rate of GHS15.47 to $1.00, covering the period from 2nd September 2024 to 28th March 2025.

The directive, which applies to all public tertiary institutions and members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), specifies that only senior members are eligible for the payments.

Required Validation and Audit Controls

The Ministry of Finance, in a June 2025 circular referenced in the document, requires that all claims submitted must be audited and validated by Internal Audit Units of the respective institutions before forwarding to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for processing and payment.

Institutions have been asked to submit two copies of audited claims for both academic and non-academic senior members, using a standardised claims template attached to the communication.

Approved Allowance Rates

The directive is expected to trigger immediate submissions from institutions amid ongoing tension within the tertiary education sector over salary arrears, cost-of-living pressures, and outstanding allowances.

Citi News understands that institutions are expected to comply promptly to ensure timely disbursement for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Background

Three key unions in tertiary education — 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)  — have jointly threatened a nationwide strike if government fails to pay their book and research allowances by June 13, 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 9, the three unions expressed frustration over what they described as the “undue delay” in releasing the exchange rate required to compute their book and research allowances.

They warned that the delay has created “significant uncertainty and frustration” among members, as many depend on the funds to support academic work and research activities.

Following a joint meeting on June 8, the unions resolved that while they are prepared to accommodate the late release of the exchange rate, they will not accept any extension of payment beyond September 2025.

They stressed that the allowance is a statutory obligation under their Conditions of Service, not a discretionary gesture.

The unions warned that failure by the government to honour the June 13 deadline will be treated as an official strike notice, triggering industrial action across all affected campuses.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed the arrest of 10 invigilators across Ghana for their alleged involvement in various examination malpractices.

Director of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, disclosed on Starr Today on GHOne TV on Wednesday, June 11, that the suspects have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

According to him, the arrests were made during the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as part of efforts to uphold the integrity and credibility of the exams.

The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) began today, June 11, across various centers nationwide. The examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), marks a critical academic milestone for thousands of final-year junior high school students seeking admission into senior high schools.

This year’s exams are taking place under heightened supervision as WAEC intensifies efforts to uphold the integrity of the process.

starrfm.com.gh

The Upper East Region is witnessing a concerning development as 21 pregnant girls and 17 lactating mothers are among the 19,523 candidates sitting for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

According to Nathaniel N-yaaba, the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), these figures reflect only visible cases, indicating that the actual numbers could be higher.

In an interview with Adom News, Mr N-yaaba revealed that the total number of candidates comprises 8,842 males and 10,681 females.
READ ALSO: A/R: BECE Candidate Delivers Baby in the Middle of Her Second Paper

He added that the exam is being conducted at 90 designated centres across the region.

Mr N-yaaba assured that the GES is fully prepared to ensure a smooth and incident-free examination process.

He emphasised that all candidates, including pregnant girls and lactating mothers, will be supported to write the exams under dignified conditions.

READ ALSO: Kumasi Central Prisons Presents Five Inmates to Participate in 2025 BECE

The GES has also cautioned candidates against examination malpractice and urged parents to support their wards while avoiding crowding around examination centres.

The participation of pregnant girls and lactating mothers in the BECE has raised concerns about adolescent welfare and girl-child education in the region.

While stakeholders have applauded the high female participation, they stress the need to tackle the root causes of early pregnancy and teenage motherhood.

myjoyonline.com