GH¢43m released to pay book, research allowances
The government has released GH₵43 million for the payment of book and research allowances for university lecturers to facilitate research and the general construction of knowledge.
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The amount covers the first and second tranches of the request sent by tertiary institutions, through the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), for the payment of the allowances.
The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, announced this when he inaugurated the Governing Council of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Accra last Friday.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) last week gave the government a two-week ultimatum for the release of the allowances or face the wrath of members of the association.
Government is committed
“We are aware of some delay associated with the payment of the allowances, for which UTAG has expressed considerable and understandable concern.
“We hereby request UTAG to hold its fire, since processes towards the payment of the book and research allowances have been almost completed,” Prof. Yankah said.
He explained that the amount so far released represented 80 per cent of claims submitted by the respective institutions.
He further explained that the processing of the remaining GH₵10.5 million was currently ongoing at the Ministry of Finance, adding: “Hopefully, the money should reach the various institutions in the coming week.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to pay the allowances, saying, for instance, that in the 2017 budget, provision of GH₵55,004,927 was made to pay the allowances.
Advice to governing council
Prof. Yankah reminded the members of the UHAS Governing Council that they were required by their statutes to determine the strategic direction of the university, monitor and evaluate policy implementation and ensure the conservation and augmentation of the resources of the university.
“You are required by your statutes to promote an environment of equal opportunity for members of the university without regard to ethnicity, sex, race, religious belief or political affiliation,” he said.
Ethnicity
Touching on ethnicity in the appointment of leaders of tertiary institutions, Prof Yankah stated: “Let me point out that nominations made by the government to governing councils, and by councils to positions of vice-chancellor, etc., are based on competence and expertise.”
He lamented over the growing culture of relatively new universities often insisting on being handed leaders who belonged to the ethnic group where that academic institution was located.
He said ethnicity should never drive appointment processes but rather guide in the making of appointments that united and integrated the diversity of ethnic groups in the country.
“Conversely, policy decisions taken by councils should be guided by the overall interest of the people of Ghana,” he stressed.
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