Research allowance inadequate - UTAG

Authorities in the country must realise the importance of research towards development and increase the funds earmarked for books and research allowance for university lecturers, National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr Harry L. K. Agbanu has admonished.

President John Dramani Mahama announced over the weekend, during a congregation at the Graduate School of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) that government has released 37 million Ghana cedi to the Controller and Accountant General's Department for onward disbursement as book and research allowance to the public universities.

But Dr. Agbanu, who was speaking on the Class91.3FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Monday July 11, told host Prince Minkah that the current amount falls short of what is needed to conduct extensive research to make an appreciable positive impact.

“The development of any nation depends on the quality of research conducted and if government is investing GHS500 in every lecturer for research, I think it will take us no way,” he lamented.

He indicated that UTAG “will continue to engage the relevant authorities to increase the amount”.

The disbursed funds will cover both universities and polytechnics for the 2016/2017 academic year, according to the president.

Unpaid arrears of book and research allowance have been the cause of many strikes by lecturers in the public tertiary institutions over the years.

Checks by Class News, however, indicate that the funds are yet to hit the accounts of the lecturers.