UTAG KNUST to call off Strike tomorrow

The leadership of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has vowed to suspend their sit down strike on Friday November 2, 2018 after the authorities reinstate the old council.

Following a violent demonstration by the students more than a week, the government dissolved the Governing Council of the university and constituted an interim one made of 9 members to run the affairs of the university for the next three months.

The government also directed that the university should be reopened within 14 days to enable academic work to continue.

The members of the UTAG laid down their tools after the government dissolved the Governing Council of the university.

Dr Addai Mensah, Executive Member of the KNUST UTAG addressing the media in Kumasi expressed gratitude to the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for shortening the path and their struggle to victory through his intervention in the impasse.

According to him, the association position was taken against political ‘machoish’ and misuse power to attack the academic freedom in the university and by extension of all public universities.

He added the association fight was motivated by their collective conviction that it was their duty to defend academic freedom and prevent the entrenchment of political interference in the governance of public universities of the country.

“We are gladdened by the assurances from the Otumfuo of his desire to set up an independent body to transparently investigate the disturbances and make recommendations for his action. We on our part assure all Ghanaians of our full cooperation in the investigation as we believe in the rule of law” he said.

He added “we will like to thank the government for doing what is honourable and for the show of maturity. Furthermore, we thank the Vice-Chancellor Professor Kwasi Obiri Danso for his patience during this dark period in the history of the University. Indeed he could have resorted to the courts and this action could have prolonged this period of trepidation and uncertainty”.