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 Organized Labor, accusing them of refusing to listen to dissenting views during a meeting on the government’s proposals to address illegal mining, known as galamsey.
In a Facebook post, Prof. Gyampo detailed the events of the meeting, stating, “We were called to get a briefing about some new proposals the government had made in response to our demand that illegal mining be addressed.” However, what transpired left him and others frustrated.
He explained that two of the leaders, Joshua Ansah and Dr. Bampoe, arrived at the meeting with a pre-prepared speech calling for the suspension of the planned strike.
“We questioned the propriety of their action and they apologized,” Gyampo said. He added that the government’s so-called new interventions were not substantially different from the ones they had rejected at an earlier meeting on October 7.
Gyampo and his colleagues urged the government to place a temporary moratorium on mining to facilitate discussions on the practicalities of the proposals.
However, he claimed that “the leadership of Organized Labor refused to listen” and abruptly called in the media to read their prepared statement. The meeting, he said, ended in “disunity” and “acrimony.”
This comes after Organized Labor called off its planned October 10th protest, intended to pressure the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining and protect water bodies. The decision followed a meeting where the government presented enhanced measures to address the issue.
The Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, announced the suspension of the strike on Wednesday, October 9, citing the government’s improved efforts in the fight against galamsey. Despite several unions, including those in the health sector, supporting Organized Labor, many opted out of the demonstration.
Meanwhile, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has taken a firm stand, announcing an indefinite strike starting October 10, 2024. This follows a referendum in which 77.95% of members from 15 branches supported a nationwide ban on mining in environmentally sensitive areas. Out of 2,762 members who participated, 2,153 voted in favor of the strike, while 607 opposed, and two abstained.
UTAG’s National Executive Council (NEC) declared the outcome “a clear mandate,” emphasizing the association’s commitment to protecting the environment by halting harmful mining practices in forest reserves, farmlands, and water bodies.
In their statement, UTAG reiterated their strong resolve to take immediate action against illegal mining, reflecting their determination to safeguard the country’s natural resources.