UTAG’s ‘Silent Majority’ Issues 3-Day Ultimatum to End Strike
A faction within the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), dubbed the “Silent Majority,” has given its national leadership a three-day ultimatum to end the ongoing strike. At a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra, the dissatisfied members expressed their discontent, citing a lack of justification for continued industrial action.
Reasons Behind the Ultimatum
The stance of the “Silent Majority” stems from government assurances to address illegal mining (galamsey) concerns, which prompted Organised Labour to call off its strike. Professor Isaac Boadi, spokesperson for the aggrieved group, emphasized the need for UTAG’s leadership to reassess the situation. “We must adopt a strategic approach, ensuring effective implementation of government measures to combat galamsey,” he stated.
Demands of the “Silent Majority”
The group has outlined the following demands:
- Immediate Strike Cessation: End the strike by October 18
- Monitoring Team: Constitute a team to oversee the implementation of the government’s roadmap
- Stricter Enforcement: Enforce natural resource protection laws more effectively
Call for Constructive Engagement
The “Silent Majority” seeks constructive engagement between UTAG leadership and the government to ensure a timely resolution to galamsey concerns. Professor Boadi also emphasized the need for leadership to invite all presidential and parliamentary candidates from mining constituencies to publicly support national efforts combating illegal mining in Ghana. This includes signing and declaring their support for national actions addressing galamsey.
The “Silent Majority” draws inspiration from Nixon’s famous “Silent Majority” speech, where he addressed the nation on the War in Vietnam, emphasizing the importance of unity and stability ¹. Similarly, UTAG’s faction hopes to bring about a unified resolution to the ongoing strike.
