Members of the Concerned Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (COPTAG) on the Takoradi Polytechnic campus say they will not heed any calls by the National Executives of POTAG to call off the strike. The lecturers in a statement released on Thursday said they suspect the executives are under pressure to call off the 3-week strike although congress has agreed to call off only when members are paid their monies this month. Spokesperson for COPTAG, Michael Appiah told Maxx News any unpopular decision unilaterally taken by the national executives will be resisted. “We want the National POTAG Executives to remain resolute like the University Teachers Association of Ghana, which in 1994, embarked on strike for about 9 months until government responded to their demands. COPTAG want to caution the National Executives not to joke with the destiny of the entire membership at this crucial stage of the strike. They should be committed to the congress decision that until the money hit the individual accounts the strike will not be call off”. “COPTAG cannot understand but wonder why the National Executives after a unanimous decision at congress in Kumasi that until the money hit the account, POTAG will not call off the strike, keep calling for congress every week to decide on whether to call off the strike or not. COPTAG believes this is a deliberate attempt by the National Executives to satisfy their petty individual whims and caprices”. According to Mr. Michael Appiah, the Controller and Accountant General Department’s test run cannot be a guarantee that the monies will be paid at the end of this month. “COPTAG want to inform the POTAG Executives that Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD) test run cannot be a guarantee that the money will be paid at the end of June, 2012. UTAG's test run was done in December, 2011 but the money was paid in March 2012. COPTAG strongly caution the National Executives that any unpopular decision taken by them will call for their immediate vote of no confidence and eventual removal from office”. Some lecturers who also shared their frustrations with Maxx News said they have families to feed as well as fees to pay for their students hence the need for their wellbeing to be considered above that of the students. Meanwhile, Takoradi Polytechnic authorities are yet to decide on whether to close down the school or not. Although academic work has come to a standstill forcing many students to return home, campaigning is ongoing ahead of SRC elections tomorrow.