The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has responded to an ultimatum issued by a faction calling themselves the ‘Silent Majority,’ dismissing their demands to end the ongoing strike over illegal mining (galamsey).
UTAG leadership has stated that the strike, supported by the majority of its members, will continue until further notice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, UTAG leadership refuted claims made by the ‘Silent Majority,’ a group that had presented a petition to the national leadership demanding the strike’s suspension.
The group claimed that the current industrial action, which began in response to the government’s handling of the illegal mining menace, is no longer necessary after government assurances to tackle the issue.
However, UTAG leadership questioned the credibility of the group, stating that out of the 57 signatories to the petition, 36 were not university lecturers.
The leadership also noted that many of the lecturers who had signed the petition later issued disclaimers, clarifying that they had not consented to being part of the group.
“There’s no way 57 people who are not all lecturers can describe themselves as a silent majority of lecturers with the audacity to give an ultimatum to the close to 3,000 university professors who voted to strike against illegal mining,” the statement noted.
UTAG also emphasised that it would not engage in public confrontations with the faction but would instead focus on internal dialogue to maintain unity.
“We won’t allow our front to be broken by anyone who isn’t part of us. We would engage them to let them understand the reasons why we took exception to the unfortunate behaviours of the TUC and CLOSSAG heads and went on the route of industrial action,” the leadership added.
Despite the pressure from the ‘Silent Majority,’ UTAG made it clear that the strike remains in effect.
“UTAG’s indefinite strike, which could not be overturned by the less than 57 lecturers, remains in force until the NEC of UTAG decides otherwise,” the statement concluded.
The ‘Silent Majority’ faction, led by Professor Isaac Boadi, had earlier held a press conference issuing a three-day ultimatum to UTAG’s national leadership.
They argued that the reasons for continuing the strike were no longer valid, given government’s commitment to addressing illegal mining.
“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,” the group said.
