UTAG faction urges management to finish strike by October 18
By Jacqueline Emefa Ampo
A gaggle of fifty-seven members, calling themselves Silent Majority of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has known as on the National Executive Council of the Association to finish the continuing strike by October 18.
The group says the management should somewhat focus its consideration on holding the federal government accountable within the implementation of the roadmap it submitted to Organised Labour in addressing the galamsey menace. The group believes that this method shall be extra solution-oriented and yield higher outcomes.
Addressing the media, Dean of Faculty of Finance and Accounting at UPSA, Prof. Isaac Boadi, on behalf of the group, stated the NEC of UTAG ought to take management in inviting all presidential candidates, together with the parliamentary candidates, in mining constituencies to signal and publicly declare their assist for the nationwide motion being taken to handle unlawful 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 stated.
The Silent Majority of UTAG stated it appreciates the need and urgency to handle the menace of Galamsey and is in full assist of the decision for a right away nationwide ban on mining and prosperity for gold and different minerals in forests, farms, and rivers. The group added that their endorsement was in assist of Organised Labour to embark on a nationwide strike.
UTAG, as a member of Organised Labour, was represented and took half in all deliberations. “It is predicated on this that UTAG discovered itself a seat as organised labour assembly held on October 9, 2024, which led to the suspension of the supposed nationwide strike primarily based on authorities response to the consent of organised labour. It stands to cause that the mandate granted to NEC expired with the suspension of the strike by Organised Labour, they stated.
The Silent Majority of UTAG argues that NEC’s determination to declare a strike was not according to 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 stated.
The group subsequently calls for the management name off the strike by Friday, or the group will take into account different choices.
“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 recommended Ghanaians for his or her efforts in combating galamsey and additional known as on the media, presidential and parliamentary candidates, revered chiefs in mining communities, the safety companies, and your entire Ghanaian populace to work collectively to win the battle.
