Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a stark warning to President John Dramani Mahama over his failure to tackle illegal mining, known as galamsey, despite pre-election pledges to do so.
In a statement following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council, UTAG expressed deep concern that the government has made little tangible progress in combating galamsey, despite some modest gains by security agencies.
The association reminded President Mahama of his signature on the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining ahead of the 2024 general elections, witnessed by UTAG and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey.
UTAG highlighted several key unfulfilled promises, including:
– Publicly denouncing galamsey and its environmental impacts
– Directing the cessation of all illegal mining activities
– Empowering law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour
– Implementing practical anti-galamsey policies
– Dismissing local government officials who permit or protect illegal mining
The statement noted that the environmental destruction continues, particularly in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Ahafo regions, as evidence of the administration’s failure to translate promises into action.
UTAG urged President Mahama to honour his campaign commitments, including repealing Legislative Instrument 2462 and declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas.
The association warned that if concrete steps are not taken promptly, it will not hesitate to take industrial action to demand the fulfilment of these national commitments.
