The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has proposed suspending its nearly three-week-long strike, effective Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, UTAG held a National Executives Council (NEC) meeting to deliberate on the next line of action, as the government struggles to meet the association’s demands.
The nationwide strike, initiated by the association on October 10, 2024, was intended to draw the government’s attention to the effects of illegal and irresponsible mining in Ghana. Through the strike, UTAG urged the government to ban illegal mining, which significantly harms water bodies, forest reserves, agricultural lands, and livelihoods. “As scholars and educators, we believe it is our civic responsibility to ensure that future generations of Ghana inherit a sustainable and healthy environment,” UTAG stated.
In a recent statement, UTAG described the strike as driven by a “deep sense of purpose and commitment.” The statement highlighted UTAG’s efforts to amplify its campaign against illegal mining, including a pact signed by candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election and leveraging media platforms to push the message to the government.
The statement, addressed to all UTAG members, also emphasized another demand being the swift revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (LI. 2462) and a formal request for the government to extend its task force’s operations to Ghana’s forest reserves.
“In light of these, NEC, after thorough deliberations, has directed the suspension of the strike action effective Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and is seeking members’ affirmation or otherwise of this directive,” read a portion of the statement signed by UTAG’s National President, Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu.
UTAG has formally requested that the National Independent Elections Committee (NIEC) facilitate the process by Monday, October 28, 2024, to make an immediate decision on the suspension directive.