The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has embarked on a strike, demanding that the government take immediate and decisive action to address the issue of galamsey (illegal mining). While their commitment to improving the state of tertiary education and protecting Ghana’s resources is commendable, the timing, impact, and prolonged nature of this strike bring consequences that far outweigh its intended benefits.
Galamsey remains one of Ghana’s most pressing issues, a fight even President Akufo-Addo has struggled to resolve. High-profile appointees and individuals with ties to his administration have been implicated in illegal mining activities, which demonstrates how deeply rooted and complex this issue is. If the struggle against galamsey a crisis threatening our environment and natural resources—could not be resolved through policy alone, we must question how a nationwide strike, impacting students who have already paid their fees and rented hostels, can achieve results without inflicting undue hardship.
Students across the country are the ultimate victims of this situation. After paying substantial academic fees and often higher costs for hostel accommodations, they find themselves at home, deprived of the education they have invested in and rightfully deserve. This situation does not just affect their finances; it disrupts their lives, studies, and future aspirations. The financial and emotional toll is evident, especially for students from less privileged backgrounds, who bear the brunt of these disruptions to their time, resources, and dreams.
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI) calls on UTAG to reconsider its approach. The Institute acknowledges the importance of UTAG’s demands but believes the cost to students is too steep. For Ghana to succeed, education must remain accessible, stable, and uninterrupted. Achieving positive change requires strategic alliances, open dialogue, and realistic action plans rather than a strike that places an undue burden on the very individuals our education system is meant to uplift.
To UTAG and all stakeholders: let us consider the broader implications of this strike. While your advocacy for change is necessary, it is equally essential to safeguard the well-being of the students. A temporary return to classrooms may create the space for constructive negotiations that minimize disruption and protect the integrity of our education system.
We are one people. Ghana first!
SGD,
William Boadi
Executive Director, EAI, Educationist, Political analyst, and Social Worker.
+233541935106
EAI: PROMOTING QUALITY EDUCATION.