By Jacqueline Emefa Ampo
A group of fifty-seven members, calling themselves Silent Majority of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has called on the National Executive Council of the Association to end the ongoing strike by October 18.
The group says the leadership must rather focus its attention on holding the government accountable in the implementation of the roadmap it submitted to Organised Labour in addressing the galamsey menace. The group believes that this approach will be more solution-oriented and yield better results.
Addressing the media, Dean of Faculty of Finance and Accounting at UPSA, Prof. Isaac Boadi, on behalf of the group, said the NEC of UTAG should take leadership in inviting all presidential candidates, including the parliamentary candidates, in mining constituencies to sign and publicly declare their support for the national action being taken to address illegal mining in Ghana.
“We wish to put on record that our intention is not to undermine the effort of our leadership. It is one union, fighting for one goal. But to ensure that the right thing is done by all times in the interest of the association and the country,” he said.
The Silent Majority of UTAG said it appreciates the necessity and urgency to address the menace of Galamsey and is in full support of the call for an immediate nationwide ban on mining and prosperity for gold and other minerals in forests, farms, and rivers. The group added that their endorsement was in support of Organised Labour to embark on a nationwide strike.
UTAG, as a member of Organised Labour, was represented and took part in all deliberations. “It is based on this that UTAG found itself a seat as organised labour meeting held on October 9, 2024, which led to the suspension of the intended nationwide strike based on government response to the consent of organised labour. It stands to reason that the mandate granted to NEC expired with the suspension of the strike by Organised Labour, they said.
The Silent Majority of UTAG argues that NEC’s decision to declare a strike was not in line with the mandate given by its members.
“We strongly believe that UTAC executives are elected to represent the interests of all members, not just some. As such, the consent of all members must be taken seriously.”
“We were therefore taken aback by the media commentary by some members of NEC and the subsequent declaration of an indefinite strike by NEC. This was not the mandate that NEC of UTAG sought from member campuses. It is a collective convention that UTAG-NEC should have referred the matter back to member campuses to allow for a separate motion to be voted on instead of a unilateral decision they took,” they said.
The group therefore demands the leadership call off the strike by Friday, or the group will consider other options.
“We are by this statement requesting the immediate action from the national leadership of UTAG by Friday, this coming Friday; if they can respond to our call before Friday, we will be grateful. Our first request to NEC executives is to call off the strike immediately.”
Professor Boadi commended Ghanaians for their efforts in fighting galamsey and further called on the media, presidential and parliamentary candidates, revered chiefs in mining communities, the security agencies, and the entire Ghanaian populace to work together to win the battle.
