UTAG’s ‘silent majority’ gives leadership three-day ultimatum to end strike over galamsey

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 over illegal mining commonly referred to as galamsey

The members at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday 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.

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

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

Expressing their discontent regarding the strike action, they proposed alternative solutions that emphasised dialogue and collaboration among members and stakeholders.

As part of the proposal, they advised leadership of  UTAG to establish a team to monitor the government's progress in addressing the galamsey crisis by October 18.

The group in a petition also asked leadership of the association to invite all presidential and parliamentary candidates from mining constituencies to publicly declare their support for national actions against illegal mining.

It will be recalled that in a letter dated October 2, 2024, the NEC instructed campuses to vote on whether to support a motion advocating for industrial action against the government’s approach to illegal mining, commonly referred to as "galamsey."

After the end of the vote on October 8, 2024, majority endorsed the decision to go an strike.

But the Silent Majority said although they supported a nationwide ban on mining and prospecting in forest reserves, farms, and rivers, it is against the strike action.

They stressed their commitment to addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining. They however described it as a unilateral decision that lacked proper mandate from the membership.

"We believe that the mandate granted to the NEC expired with the suspension of the nationwide strike by Organised Labour. Therefore, it was unexpected to witness the NEC's decision to declare an indefinite strike without returning to the campuses for further consultation," the group stated in their press release.

The group urged the NEC to refocus their efforts on holding the government accountable for implementing the roadmap presented to Organised Labour, which included UTAG's participation. 

They underscored the importance of representing all members’ interests, stating, "UTAG executives are elected to represent the interest of all members and not just 'some.' The concerns of all members must be taken seriously."

"This statement is not intended to undermine leadership efforts, but rather to ensure that the right actions are taken in the best interest of our Association and the nation," they emphasised.

They called on the media, political candidates, community leaders, and the security forces to unite in this critical fight for the future of Ghana's natural resources.