The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has instructed its members to suspend their strike action by Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

The directive comes after several weeks of industrial action that has severely affected academic activities in public universities across the country.

UTAG embarked on the strike on October 10, 2024, as a form of protest aimed at pressuring the government to take decisive action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The association argued that the environmental damage caused by galamsey, particularly the destruction of water bodies, posed a threat to national sustainability.

In response to ongoing negotiations and discussions, the NEC decided that UTAG members should return to the classroom, expressing optimism that their concerns would be addressed by the government.

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The strike had led to a halt in academic work, affecting thousands of students nationwide.

A statement from the NEC indicated that the government had given assurances that efforts would be intensified to combat the galamsey menace. UTAG members were encouraged to resume teaching, but the NEC emphasised that they would continue monitoring the situation to ensure their demands were met.

With the strike officially set to end on October 29, tertiary students are expected to return to classes by November 1, 2024, as normal academic activities are scheduled to resume.