Galamsey Fight: National UTAG leadership responds to petition by rebel members

The National Leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has responded to a petition dated October 14, 2024, petition titled “Petition Against the Recent Indefinite Strike Action by UTAG NEC” which was filed by some members of the UTAG.

The National Leadership indicated that they appreciate the opportunity to discuss the concerns raised by the undersigned members.

The petitioners had called on their leadership to call off the strike immediately. They wanted the leadership to constitute a team to monitor the effectiveness of the recent measures outlined by the government to deal with the illegal small-scale menace. The agreived members of UTAG argued that the stroke was not necessary given that the government had taken steps to deal with the

Speaking to the media on behalf of the group, Professor Isaac Boadi, a senior academic and spokesperson for the aggrieved members, “We are by this statement requesting the following, take immediate action from the national leadership of UTAG by Friday [October 18] to call off the strike immediately. Our first plea, our first request to NEC executives.

“We should call off the strike immediately and constitute a team that will monitor the implementation of the government’s road map to addressing the galamsey menace.”

UTAG, a member of Organised Labour, had voted to declare industrial action in favor of a national ban on mining in forest reserves, farmlands, and rivers, as the broader coalition of unions suspended its nationwide strike set for tomorrow, October 10, 2024.

This move came amid growing concerns over the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.” In a referendum conducted across UTAG’s 15 branches, 77.95% of the 2,762 members who participated, voted in favor of the strike, with 607 opposing. The National Independent Electoral Committee (NIEC), chaired by Dr. Reuben Ayivor-Djanic, confirmed the results on October 9, 2024.

In a statement responding to the petition by the disgruntled members, the UTAG National leadership said that UTAG remains firmly committed to the democratic processes that underpin all our actions. Every decision, including the current strike, has been made in full consultation with our membership across all campuses based on the mandate entrusted to the leadership. Our guiding principle remains the protection and advancement of the interests and welfare of all members, which is in line with UTAG’s constitution and ethos.

“Firstly, as reflected in the petition and press conference, we noted that your group included several individuals who are not UTAG members. Furthermore, the names of a few actual members were added to the petition without their prior consent. This is highly unprofessional and unethical and thus undermines the credibility of your actions, as it appears to be a deliberate attempt to discredit UTAG’s collective efforts. Additionally, your group intentionally disregarded multiple briefings and consciously avoided engagements to address your concerns through the appropriate Local, National and NEC channels, which is well captured by the UTAG constitution.

Despite the lapses and the disingenuous hidden motives in your petition that ordinarily should not have merited a response for the purposes of unity and togetherness, we still deem it necessary to respond as below.

The Key Issues Raised

1. Support for the Nationwide Ban on Mining and Prospecting

We wish to express our deep appreciation for your endorsement of UTAG’s position on the nationwide ban on mining activities in environmentally sensitive areas, including forest reserves, farmlands, and river bodies. Our call for this ban reflects not only our commitment to environmental stewardship but also a broader concern for the future of our nation’s natural resources and the long-term sustainability of its economy. However, there seems to be a misunderstanding regarding the timeline and rationale behind UTAG’s

decision to support this cause. For clarity, UTAG first made a Press Release on September 9, 2024, in which the Association demanded that the government should place an immediate ban on mining and prospecting for gold and other minerals in forest reserves, farmlands and rivers. We clearly stated that if the government failed to meet our demand by September 30, 2024, we would embark on an industrial action. Two days later, on September 11, 2024, Organised Labour called a meeting during which it made a number of demands from the government and indicated that if the government failed to act by September 30, it would embark on a nationwide strike and demonstrations, among others.

So when the government failed to meet our demand by September 30, 2024, the National Executive Council (NEC) of UTAG met to decide on the next line of action as stated in our September 9, 2024

NEC unanimously decided to activate the UTAG Constitutional process of declaring an industrial action by authorizing the National Secretary to write to the National Independent Elections Committee (NIEC) and Branch Independent Elections Committees (BIECs) to conduct a vote on the motion, “Should the NEC of UTAG declare an industrial action in support of the nationwide ban on mining and prospecting for gold and other minerals in forest reserves, farms, and rivers?”

This process, as reflected in the motion, had nothing to do with the threats by Organised Labour and the decision by it to declare a strike action on October 10, 2024. Indeed, you can see that the motion that Members of UTAG voted on did not fully reflect the demands by Organised Labour, for example, for the state of Emergency in mining areas, among others. It is, therefore, wrong to argue that the voting by UTAG Members was to support a supposed strike by Organised Labour. For the avoidance of doubt, the voting that UTAG Members did on the above motion had nothing to do with the decision of Organised Labour.

Our support for the ban on mining stems from the existential threat posed by illegal mining (galamsey) activities to the environment, public health, and future economic prosperity. We believe that as educators and thought leaders, UTAG has a moral and professional duty to advocate for policies that secure the nation’s resources for generations to come. This position remains valid and urgent, independent of Organised Labour’s stance, and continues to command the overwhelming support of our members and majority of Ghanaians.

2. Continuation of the Strike Post-Organised Labour Meeting

While it is true that Organised Labour suspended its nationwide strike following the government’s presentation of a roadmap, UTAG, as a distinct body with its own objectives and priorities, has

remained steadfast in its decision to continue the strike. The overwhelming support from our

membership for the indefinite strike reflects a shared understanding that this is a crisis of national importance. Illegal mining poses a direct threat to the environment, water bodies, agricultural lands, and, by extension, the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians. For this reason, UTAG cannot afford to take a passive stance or rely solely on promises of future action. Our members have consistently voted

in favour of sustained and decisive action, and the strike remains a necessary tool for maintaining pressure on the government to act swiftly and responsibly.

3. The Mandate of UTAG NEC and the Indefinite Strike Action

The assertion that NEC acted unilaterally in declaring the indefinite strike is both unfounded and misleading. The strike was declared following rigorous consultation and deliberation across the various campuses of UTAG. As part of this process, NEC ensured that the will of the members was reflected in our decisions. The October 10, 2024, strike date was determined and communicated to the National Labour Commission (NLC) by UTAG before OL’s declaration. Our actions were driven by the urgent need to protect the national interest, as articulated in our September 9, 2024, press statement, which you are very much aware of.

You may also want to abreast yourself with the UTAG Constitution, specifically Article IX Clauses 4 and 5, which states:

Clause 4: Action by the NEC to authorise an INDUSTRIAL ACTION shall be informed by votes of members at the Branch level. For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC shall only make decisions based on the votes from individual members of Branches voting for or against the industrial action.

Clause 5: When the majority of members vote for the declaration of an INDUSTRIAL ACTION, the NEC shall determine the nature of the industrial action (i.e., partial or total) and set the actual date that the industrial action commences.

4. Focus on Holding the Government Accountable

We wholeheartedly agree with your call for NEC to focus on monitoring the government’s roadmap for addressing illegal mining. Indeed, NEC of UTAG is already doing this, and as part of the process, there are plans to hold weekly meetings to review the actions of the government relative to the roadmap provided. The first weekly review meeting by NEC is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, October 16, 2024. However, we believe that the indefinite strike is essential for ensuring that the government remains committed to its promises. Without sustained pressure, there is a real risk that the issue of illegal mining will be deprioritized, and the commitments made by the government could lose momentum or be delayed indefinitely. The strike is not an end in itself but rather a means of holding the government accountable to its roadmap. While NEC will certainly take steps to establish a dedicated monitoring team to track progress, the strike remains a vital lever to ensure that promises translate into tangible actions.

5. UTAG Represents All Members

We share your concern that UTAG’s leadership must represent the interests of all members, and we remain committed to this principle. The decision to declare the strike was not taken lightly and NEC acted with the Association’s best interests in mind and in tandem with the majority of Members who

voted for the strike action. Our leadership at NEC has consistently operated transparently, and every

decision has been based on extensive consultations with members nationwide.

We understand that some members may hold differing views, and we encourage those who feel left out to engage with the leadership through the appropriate internal mechanisms. UTAG remains a democratic institution for today, and the future, and the views of all members are valued. However, we caution against actions that may undermine the unity of the Association at a time when our collective strength is most needed. Members must also understand that in a democracy, decisions that are made based on voting are always carried by the majority views, which all must respect.

Our Stand Moving Forward

In response to the specific requests outlined in your petition:

• Call off the strike immediately: We believe calling off the strike at this stage would be

premature and counterproductive. The strike is our primary means of maintaining pressure on the government to act decisively and not use the roadmap as a smokescreen for inaction.

While we understand the concerns you raised, we must remain firm in our stance until the government takes concrete action. NEC will continue to assess the situation, and any decisions regarding the suspension of the strike will be based on careful consideration of developments and progress made by government in implementing its proposed roadmap.

• Constitute a monitoring team for the government’s roadmap: We appreciate this suggestion and fully support establishing a monitoring team. We are happy to inform you that NEC is already monitoring the implementation of the roadmap provided by government and will expand it in the coming days for wider coverage, effectiveness and efficiency. Thus, we are continuously tracking the government’s progress on its roadmap for addressing illegal mining. This will complement our ongoing strike action, ensuring that we maintain oversight and accountability throughout the process that will inform the weekly review decisions of NEC.

• Engage presidential and parliamentary candidates in mining constituencies: UTAG has long been at the forefront of national advocacy on key issues. Indeed, UTAG has earlier in the year written to the Presidential Candidates, including those of the two main political parties (NPP and NDC), inviting them to engage with us on their manifestos, with particular focus on education, environment and the economy. None of the Presidential Candidates has honoured this invitation yet, and we continue to pursue them to honour it and possibly expand it to parliamentary candidates in mining areas as suggested. Engaging candidates in mining constituencies is a valuable opportunity to hold political leaders accountable for their stance on illegal mining. However, we must ensure that this effort does not divert attention from the immediate goal of compelling the government to act swiftly on illegal mining.

A Call for Unity Finally, we wish to reiterate that the current strike is not just about illegal mining—it is about the future of our country. Irresponsible mining in forest reserves, farmlands and rivers threatens our environment, our livelihoods, and the survival of future generations. As educators, researchers, and thought leaders, we have a moral obligation to advocate for policies that protect our national resources and ensure a sustainable future for all Ghanaians.

We urge all members to remain united in this critical fight. Divisiveness will only weaken our position and embolden those who are resistant to change. Now, more than ever, UTAG must stand as one Association committed to a common vision and a shared purpose. We thank you for your understanding, feedback, and continued support. Together, we will overcome these challenges and secure Ghana’s brighter future.