In a press release, the youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns regarding the ongoing strike by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), claiming it is politically motivated and aimed at disenfranchising students in the upcoming December elections.
According to the statement, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, a prominent academic and alleged supporter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is accused of coordinating with his party to prevent students from exercising their right to vote.
The NPP youth assert that UTAG’s continued strike action is an attempt to keep university campuses closed until after election day, December 7, when many students would be unable to vote due to registration on campus.
The statement accuses the NDC and aligned UTAG leaders of taking advantage of the strike to influence the student vote, which is perceived to favor NPP candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over NDC’s John Dramani Mahama.
The NPP youth wing further alleges that UTAG’s actions contrast with the position taken by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body for organized labor. After recent discussions with the government on issues related to illegal mining and forest protection, the TUC decided to suspend its planned nationwide strike.
However, UTAG chose to proceed, raising suspicions about political motives. The NPP claims that the NDC was disappointed with the TUC’s decision, allegedly seeking widespread disruption that could harm the government’s public image.
“UTAG’s decision to continue the strike action means only one thing: to stop the University of Ghana and other public universities from reopening until elections are over,” the statement read. The NPP youth argue that this tactic is aimed at benefiting the NDC by obstructing students from voting, which could influence the outcome of the election.
The release also touches on the alleged motives of Prof. Gyampo, accusing him of prioritizing political aspirations over the welfare of students and their academic progress. Citing past allegations against Prof. Gyampo, the NPP youth call on UTAG members to re-evaluate their leadership’s stance and for student organizations like the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the University Students’ Association of Ghana (USAG) to voice their opposition.
In a concluding appeal, the NPP youth urge university authorities to recall students to campus, allowing them to exercise their voting rights.
They warn that denying students the opportunity to participate in the elections would have far-reaching consequences on their academic and professional futures.
As the December election approaches, the involvement of educational institutions and labor unions has become increasingly scrutinized, with both the NPP and NDC focusing on voter turnout among Ghana’s youth. With tensions escalating, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved in the interest of students and academic stability across Ghana.
