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The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has said it will call off its nationwide strike by October 29.

This follows some weeks of industrial action which has by members of the Association in all the public universities disrupting academic activities in the process.

The strike, which was initiated against the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the ongoing illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’ was started on October 10, 2024.

UTAG, who was part of a botched strike intended by Organised Labour proceeded with the unrest when some leadership of the Organised Labour said they were no more embarking on the strike.

UTAG, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, and other bodies, demanded among others, from the government, a suspension of all forms of small-scale mining in the country, and a declaration of a state-of-emergency on the menace.

The devastating effect of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment has been described by many as an existential threat especially when the government is sleeping over the job.

Some members of the governing New Patriotic Party have said they will lose their seats in Parliament if the ban is issued.

This made UTAG continued with the strike saying the government’s proposal to deploy the military to the forests and river bodies as it had done on several occasions were not enough to curb the menace.

In a statement, the NEC urged UTAG members to return to the classroom. Meanwhile, tertiary students are expected to resume classes on November 1, 2024.