Galamsey: Suspension of strike sole decision of Organised Labour’s leadership – KNUST-UTAG

Professor Eric Abavare, President of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision to suspend Organised Labour’s indefinite strike. Speaking on Citi FM, Prof. Abavare expressed concern that the leadership of Organised Labour made the decision unilaterally, without considering the views of UTAG or other affiliated associations.

He revealed that at a meeting held on Wednesday, October 9, the leadership of Organised Labour arrived with a pre-written speech, signaling that the decision to call off the strike had already been made prior to the discussions, which were supposed to finalize the strike action scheduled for Thursday, October 10.

Organised Labour suspended the strike after the government committed to taking significant measures, including intensifying the Ghana Armed Forces’ “Operational Halt” initiative aimed at combating illegal mining in forest reserves. However, Prof. Abavare made it clear that UTAG does not support this decision and will proceed with its planned indefinite strike.

Prof. Abavare also called on President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency and enforce a total ban on all forms of mining, stressing UTAG’s longstanding concerns. “If you come to a meeting with a pre-prepared speech, it means the decision to suspend the strike was already made,” he remarked, explaining UTAG’s decision to distance itself from Organised Labour.

He further drew a parallel with the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, where a state of emergency was declared, and urged similar action to address the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis. “Our demands were not addressed, and UTAG does not want to be associated with the decision made by Organised Labour’s leadership,” he concluded.