By: Maame Efua Kwaduah
The President of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG-UTAG), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has criticized the leadership of Organised Labour for suspending a planned strike over illegal mining.
Organised Labour made this decision after a meeting with the government, during which the administration proposed enhanced measures to combat illegal mining.
Speaking after the announcement, Prof. Gyampo emphasized the gravity of the situation and reaffirmed UG-UTAG’s strong stance on the issue. He detailed the events of the meeting, revealing that the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, and the Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), Dr. Isaac Bampoe-Addo, arrived with a pre-written speech advocating for the strike’s suspension. This move was met with criticism from Prof. Gyampo and others, who questioned its appropriateness.
Although the two leaders later apologized, tensions rose when they presented the government’s new interventions, which, according to Prof. Gyampo, were no different from those previously rejected on October 7. He and other participants suggested a temporary moratorium on mining to allow for discussions on the proposals, but this suggestion was disregarded.
Prof. Gyampo expressed frustration over the leadership of Organised Labour’s refusal to consider alternative ideas. The meeting, he noted, became contentious and ended in discord. He also pointed to a growing divide within Organised Labour and mentioned that UTAG’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would meet later to address the situation.
Despite these challenges, Prof. Gyampo reassured his colleagues that UG-UTAG remains committed to supporting efforts to combat illegal mining, stressing the association’s role in defending the nation against what he described as an existential threat.