The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) is set to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today, October 23, 2024, amidst an ongoing strike prompted by unmet demands by the government which faces several pressing challenges.
News of the meeting was spotted by happyghana.com in a Facebook post shared by UTAG-UG President, Professor Ransford Gyampo, where he expressed frustration over the government’s ineffective response to UTAG’s demands, particularly regarding its failure to address illegal and irresponsible mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
He also raised concern about additional issues confronting the country, including the indefinite suspension of parliamentary sitting. According to Professor Gyampo, UTAG, which he described as a key player in the fight against galamsey, will use the NEC meeting to assess the government’s actions and inactions in addressing illegal mining. “The history of Ghana’s fight against illegal and irresponsible mining cannot be written without mentioning UTAG,” he stated.
Professor Gyampo further explained that the executive members of UTAG will decide whether to continue the strike, which he acknowledged may not yield significant results given the government’s current challenges, or to suspend the strike and consider alternative interventions. He noted, “A decision will be made on whether to strike indefinitely—though we recognize that little may be achieved in the current national crisis—or to suspend the strike while exploring other measures so as not to unnecessarily penalize students, parents, and ourselves.”
He emphasized, however, that any decision reached at the meeting will be subject to approval or rejection by UTAG members through a voting process.