The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has threatened to embark on an industrial action should President John Dramani Mahama fail to fulfill his pre-election pledge to deal with illegal mining.
A statement by UTAG released after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday, July 17 bemoaned the negative impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
UTAG in its statement recalled that in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections, President Mahama signed the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining, witnessed by UTAG and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG).
According to UTAG, “galamsey is destroying our water bodies and environment, particularly in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Ahafo regions.”
It further called, “more significant and coordinated action is needed to eradicate the galamsey menace in the country permanently,” while acknowledging instructions from the Attorney General for EOCO to investigate alleged political actors involved in illegal mining.
Meanwhile, UTAG admonished the President to honor additional campaign commitments, including the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas.
“UTAG expects the President to fulfill his pledges with urgency and transparency. If concrete steps are not taken promptly, UTAG will not hesitate to activate all constitutionally permitted avenues—including industrial action—to demand the fulfillment of these national commitments.
We urge our members and the broader public to remain vigilant and united in protecting our environment for future generations. The time for rhetoric is over; the time for action is now.”
Among the key unfulfilled promises UTAG highlighted are:
The immediate public denunciation of galamsey and its environmental harms;
A directive for all illegal mining activities to cease, including the evacuation of forest reserves and river bodies;
Empowering law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation;
Implementation of coherent, practical anti-galamsey policies;
And the dismissal of local government officials who permit or protect illegal mining in their jurisdictions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
