Salam Mustapha
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) leader, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, are conspiring to deny Ghanaian students their right to vote in the December polls.
In a statement, NPP National Youth Organizer Salam Mustapha claimed that Prof. Gyampo, in cahoots with the NDC, is using the ongoing UTAG strike to prevent university students from voting.
The NPP alleges that the strike’s true purpose is to disrupt the academic timetable and disenfranchise students, most of whom registered to vote on campus.
Salam Mustapha urged UTAG members to resist being used for political gain and called on university authorities to recall students to ensure their participation in the elections.
In a statement on Monday, October 28, 2024 the NPP youth wing alleged that UTAG’s ongoing strike has less to do with fighting illegal mining (galamsey) and more to do with obstructing student voters.
The statement claimed that Gyampo, with the NDC’s backing, is leading a political strategy designed to suppress student turnout, particularly those who support NPP flagbearer Mahamudu Bawumia.
“Our credible information is that Prof. Ransford Gyampo is in cahoots with his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to deny tens of thousands of Ghanaian students their right to vote in the December polls,” the youth wing stated.
The youth wing further argued that the NDC and Gyampo are concerned about the strength of student support for Bawumia, believing that the strike could discourage students from returning to campus solely to vote.
Many students, particularly those who live far from campus, may face logistical challenges and costs that deter them from casting their ballots, they added.
According to the NPP youth wing, the NDC originally hoped that organised labour would stage a countrywide strike to destabilise public services, inconveniencing Ghanaians and painting the government in a negative light.
However, after constructive dialogue with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration to address illegal mining and protect water resources, organised labour abandoned its call for action—much to the NDC’s frustration.
“Their wish was for public services in the country to be completely disturbed to the massive inconvenience of Ghanaians with the expectation that Ghanaian voters would punish the ruling New Patriotic Party by that,” the Youth Wing claimed.
Accusing the NDC and UTAG of political manipulation, the youth wing warned that the strike could prevent universities, including the University of Ghana, from reopening until after the elections.
“The likes of Prof. Gyampo and his NDC are not the least bothered about the dire impact that their decision to lay down their tools will have on the academy of these innocent students,” the Youth Wing stated.
“UTAG’s decision to continue the strike action means only one thing for those behind it: to stop the University of Ghana and other public universities from reopening until elections are over.”
-BY Daniel Bampoe