UG-TEIN criticizes Gov’t over strike, illegal mining, and protest handling

The University of Ghana Chapter of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), aligned with the NDC, has criticized the government’s handling of several key issues, including the indefinite strike by university staff, illegal mining, and the recent arrest of Democracy Hub protesters.

During a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024, UG-TEIN President, Jonathan Atitsogbey stressed the severe impact the strike is having on students, particularly due to the reduced academic calendar it would result in.

”The strike at the University of Ghana is having a significant impact on students. Many are feeling stranded and uncertain about their academic future. The indefinite nature of the strike is causing anxiety amongst students, particularly those who are worried about completing their studies within the stipulated time frame.”

“The strike has already reduced the academic calendar from 13 weeks to 9 weeks. And further reductions are likely, which will put additional pressure on students to cover the same amount of material in less time.”

The group further condemned what they described as the unconstitutional actions of the police and courts in handling peaceful protests, calling for the release of those arrested.

”We, as a nation, students, Ghanaians, workers and all other bodies deem the actions taken by the police and the courts as unconstitutional and demand the right action to be taken to ensure the immediate release of the arrested protesters.”

Jonathan Atitsogbey also suggested that the current NPP government, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has consistently shown hostility toward peaceful protesters, highlighting  that peaceful demonstrations are a constitutional right, and yet the government has responded to them with resistance.

”It has become a chronic of this NPP government led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Kumipreko, to be hostile to people who are compelled by this constitutional provision to demonstrate peacefully, anytime they think something is wrong in this country.”

Jonathan Atitsogbey further condemned the government’s failure to protect natural resources from illegal mining, warning that access to these resources in the near future would be nearly impossible.

”A time will come that we cannot have access to our natural resources anymore because these governments are not taking action to protect our natural resources. Let us all come together as youth and fight for our future.”

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Story by: Joycelyn Glory | univers.ug.edu.gh