The KNUST branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON-KNUST) of the New Patriotic Party has blamed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the UTAG-NLC impasse.

The President of TESCON -KNUST, Collins Nana Baidoo believes the failure of the NDC to implement the recommendations of the 2014 Labour Market Survey has worsened the situation.

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, Mr. Baidoo fingered the nonchalant attitude of the Mahama-led administration for the current stalemate between the University Teachers Association (UTAG) and the National Labour Commission (NLC).

“It has come to our notice that the members of the leading opposition party, the NDC, are capitalizing on this strike action by the UTAG to achieve cheap political points, but they should bear in mind that if they had implemented the recommendations of the 2014 Labour Market Survey, our hard working lecturers would not have made these demands now,” he said.

“Mr. John Mahama told them and I quote, 'I have seen more demonstrations and strikes in my first two years. I don’t think it can get worse. It is said that when you kill a goat and you frighten it with a knife, it doesn’t fear the knife because it is dead already,” he added.

On the e-levy, the group called on the Finance and Communication Ministries to spread the town hall meeting to many parts of the country.

Though the group believes the levy will be crucial in infrastructural development, they however, asked for further reduction of the levy, if possible.

“Government is requesting for a 1.5 % electronic transaction levy without taxing the first GHC100 per day.

“We will continue to appeal to the Finance and Communication Ministries to replicate the town hall meeting in all the regions and if possible the various communities for further consultations and also educate them on the need to support the e-levy.

“If there is anything the Finance Ministry can do to further reduce the rate of the levy, the Ministry should not hesitate to do so,” he appealed.