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UTAG-UG President accuses gov't of interfering in ongoing galamsey strike
Accra, Ghana - October 19, 2024 - Professor Ransford Gyampo, President of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG), has publicly accused top government officials and members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to undermine UTAG's unity.
The accusation comes amidst an ongoing strike initiated by UTAG-UG to protest the government's perceived inaction against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
In a bold statement on TV3 on Saturday, October 19, Prof. Gyampo asserted that UTAG remains resolute in its decision to continue the strike, despite pressure from government officials. He specifically addressed deputy ministers and party leaders who have approached UTAG members, urging them to suspend the strike: "You can do all manner of things to divide and break the front of some labour unions, but not UTAG. We are still on strike; you can go to hell".
Prof. Gyampo further criticized the Akuffo Addo government, stating that it will be remembered as the most undemocratic government in Ghana's history.
He cited the government's weakening of the legislature and judiciary, silencing of civil society, and attempts to divide labour unions as evidence of its undemocratic nature.
“To those Deputy Ministers, to those top party functionaries who were behind the effort to break our front, I was on the phone when you were talking to them, I was listening to you, you didn’t know and so I’m telling you, you can do all manner of things to divide and to break the front of some labour unions but not UTAG, we are still on strike, you can go to hell”.
“This government will go down in history as the most undemocratic government in the history of Ghana’s self-republic because they are weakening the legislature, the weakening the judiciary, the have silenced civil society, they have silenced the voices of eminent people and they are silencing or even dividing the front of labour.”
The strike by UTAG-UG is a response to the government's perceived lack of action against galamsey, which has severe environmental and social consequences.
Source: Lead News Online
