The National Chairman for the Senior Staff Association of the Universities of Ghana, Mr George Ansong, has refuted claims that their strike action is not politically motivated.
He disagreed with the assertions that the strike action was too early, considering that the new government had now chalked up five months in office.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he noted that five months in office was enough to address the concerns they had complained about.
The Senior Staff Association of Ghana, in collaboration with the Technical University Administrators Association and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association, has declared an indefinite strike.
They have accused both the current and previous governments of failing to honour a six-month-old agreement aimed at improving working conditions.
He insisted that “countless engagements and goodwill efforts extended to the government” had resulted in no positive outcome.
He claimed that the government had failed to honour the terms of a signed agreement six months ago.
‘’ The strike action was necessary after several efforts to get our concerns addressed failed. The strike, was not the first option, but it is the only decision we have been left with. If you see us on strike, it means we have exhausted all available channels. Going on the strike is unfortunate, but we had no option but to do it.
I will also disagree with you that the strike was too early. We have had a series of engagements, and so we had no option but to strike. The action is not politically motivated. We don’t have any interest in sabotaging the government. Nobody should read any meaning into our action. We have been reasonable and given the government enough time in dealing with our concerns, but that has not succeeded,’’ he added.
He concluded, ”Our intention is not to make government unpopular. It is not exciting news to go on strike, so please be careful how you criticise us. Please don’t use issues to gain political capital. We did what was right, and we are pleased that the government has responded positively.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
