Galamsey: UTAG’s ‘silent majority’ gives leadership three-day ultimatum to end strike

Some members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), identifying themselves as the ‘Silent Majority,’ have issued a three-day ultimatum to the association’s national leadership, calling for an immediate cessation of the ongoing strike.

The aggrieved members argued that there was no justification for the strike, especially after Organised Labour had called off its action following government assurances to tackle illegal mining, commonly called galamsey.

This internal dissent within UTAG, a body representing university lecturers across the country, highlights mounting frustration among some members regarding the continuation of the industrial action.

The dissatisfied members argued during a press conference on Tuesday, October 15, that the strike lacks sufficient justification, particularly in light of recent developments.

Speaking to the media on behalf of the group, Professor Isaac Boadi, a senior academic and spokesperson for the aggrieved members, emphasised that UTAG’s leadership must reassess the situation and called for a more strategic and thoughtful approach to handling the ongoing negotiations with the government.

“We are by this statement requesting the following, take immediate action from the national leadership of UTAG by Friday [October 18] to call off the strike immediately. Our first plea, our first request to NEC executives.

“We should call off the strike immediately and constitute a team that will monitor the implementation of the government’s road map to addressing the galamsey menace.”

Organised Labour had previously announced its intention to embark on an industrial action but called it off after receiving assurances from the government that the pertinent issues would be addressed in a timely manner.

Source: citinewsroom