Provost for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Charles Marfo has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the leadership of Organized Labour, criticizing their unfair treatment towards the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
Prof Charles Marfo disclosed that among 2,762 members, over 2,000 voted in favor of a strike, emphasizing that this decision stems from a deep concern for the nation’s welfare rather than a desire for industrial action.
He stated, “We are 2,762 and over 2,000 of us voted we should go on strike. And not that we love strike but we think about the nation”.
Speaking in an interview with Millicent Safo-Adu on Bresosem at Abusua965FM, Prof Charles Marfo recounted UTAG’s initial independent stance before agreeing to collaborate with Organized Labour, which had promised serious efforts to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey.
He emphasized “We issued our statement prior to Organized Labour’s involvement. Nevertheless, we opted to collaborate with certain individuals claiming leadership within Organized Labour, as they demonstrated a genuine interest in addressing galamsey.”
Prof Marfo expressed frustration, recounting how Organized Labour attempted to dissuade UTAG from striking during a meeting, presenting a prepared speech instead of engaging in genuine dialogue.
“UTAG agreed that we should come together as Organized Labour, rather than acting independently. However, we then attend a meeting and while waiting, they present a prepared speech to call off the strike, without having even initiated the strike, or convincing us on why we should not proceed”.
When asked about his disappointment in Organized Labour, Prof Marfo stated he would only feel let down if he had expected positive outcomes.
“I would have only been disappointed if I were expectant that they were going to do anything good”, he stressed.
Prof Charles Marfo criticized the association’s leadership age limits and expressed concern about whether Organized Labour included retired members.
He noted “If you’re part of such an association and you don’t know the age of the leadership, this is what happens. When I saw the Spokesperson; and the say that, retirement age is 60, I asked myself, Do we have any retired members in the association?”, Prof Marfo quizzed.
Prof Marfo suggested that the upcoming general elections influenced the 23% opposition to the strike among members of UTAG.
“Due to the upcoming General Election, which is just two months away, I believe this was the reason why UTAG recorded about 23% of us voting ‘No’. Normally, we would have garnered around 90% support for the strike”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
