A section of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), calling themselves the 'Silent Majority,' has issued a three-day ultimatum to the association’s national leadership, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing strike.
The group contends that the industrial action, which began over concerns related to illegal mining (galamsey), is now unwarranted following government assurances to address the issue.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, Professor Isaac Boadi, spokesperson for the aggrieved lecturers, criticised UTAG’s leadership for prolonging the strike without sufficient cause.
“We are by this statement requesting the following: immediate action from the national leadership of UTAG by Friday, October 18, to call off the strike. This is our first plea, our first request to NEC executives,” Prof. Boadi stated.
The group is also calling for the formation of a team to monitor the government’s implementation of its plan to tackle the galamsey menace, emphasising the need for a strategic shift in UTAG's approach to negotiations.
“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,” he added.