UG-UTAG to proceed with strike despite Organised Labour’s suspension of industrial action
The University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG) has declared its intention to go ahead with a planned strike, even after Organised Labour suspended its nationwide protest against illegal mining, known as galamsey.
UG-UTAG’s strike, set to begin on Thursday, October 10, 2024, stems from what the association sees as the government’s inadequate response to the galamsey crisis, which continues to devastate the nation’s environment.
While Organised Labour called off its strike following assurances from the government to step up anti-galamsey efforts, UG-UTAG remains unconvinced. Speaking to the media after the announcement, UG-UTAG President, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, expressed disappointment, claiming that the association’s concerns were stifled during the decision-making process.
Prof. Gyampo highlighted UG-UTAG’s resolve to act independently, despite Organised Labour’s decision. He criticized the meeting’s handling, stating that discussions were abruptly halted, and a pre-prepared statement was issued without full consensus.
“We even wanted to be allowed to say that if this is the route to go then let’s subject the government to strict deadline. They said they will not let us talk. in the meeting, I made my first point to others; a few people spoke and if you are speaking the chairman gets up and says he doesn’t want you to talk. We didn’t finish with the meeting before we realised they had called the media in.”
“So, the meeting did not end, and they got up to read the statement that had been prepared already for you…We are going to meet this evening. We had voted already. The 16 public universities had voted unanimously, overwhelmingly to say that they want to go on industrial action, and we don’t care about what ‘disorganised labour’ wants to do.
“We will be the conscience of Ghana. We will defend Ghanaians, and we will ensure that we defeat this fight, we will defeat this existential threat that confronts all of us. If Organised Labour will not want to do it, we will want to do it,” he stated.
