A faction of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), known as the “Silent Majority,” has called on the National Executive Council (NEC) to halt the ongoing strike against illegal mining.
During a press briefing in Accra, Professor Isaac Boadi, the group’s spokesperson, called on the NEC to form a team to monitor the implementation of the government’s roadmap for addressing the galamsey issue.
He urged the national leadership to take immediate action and end the strike by October 18, 2024.
Prof. Boadi also requested that the NEC invite all presidential candidates, as well as parliamentary candidates from mining constituencies, to sign and publicly declare their commitment to tackling illegal mining in Ghana.
“We wish to put on record that our intention is not to undermine the efforts of leadership but to ensure that the right thing is done at all times in the interest of the Association and the country,” he said.
Prof. Boadi commended the Ghanaian populace for their collective resolve in tackling the issue of galamsey and called for unity in the effort to win the battle against it.
UTAG had previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion for the NEC to declare an industrial action in support of the nationwide ban on mining and prospecting for gold and other minerals in forest reserves, farms, and rivers.
Prof. Boadi noted that UTAG participated in the Organised Labour meeting on October 9, 2024, which resulted in the suspension of the planned nationwide strike due to the government’s response to the concerns raised by Organised Labour.
He stated that the mandate given to the NEC of UTAG expired with the suspension of the strike by Organised Labour.
“We were taken aback by the media commentary by some members of NEC and the subsequent declaration of an indefinite strike by NEC.
“It is our collective conviction that UTAG NEC should have referred the matter back to member campuses to allow for a separate motion to be voted on instead of the unilateral decision they took,” he stated.
Prof. Boadi said that the group thought the NEC of UTAG should focus on holding the government accountable for implementing the roadmap presented to Organised Labour, where UTAG was represented.
“We strongly believe that UTAG Executives are elected to represent the interests of all members and not just some,” he said.
Organised Labour called off its planned strike on October 9, following the government’s roadmap to address the issue of illegal mining.
Key components of this roadmap include the President directing the lands minister to request Parliament to revoke L.I. 2462, the deployment of soldiers to aid in the fight against illegal mining, and the establishment of 14 courts specifically for the trial of all arrested illegal miners.
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