The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a stern ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to fulfill his pre-election commitment to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
In a statement released following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on July 17, UTAG warned that failure to act decisively could lead to industrial action.
The association expressed deep concerns regarding the government’s lack of tangible progress in the fight against galamsey, despite some modest gains made by security agencies. UTAG emphasized that the President had signed the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining during the lead-up to the 2024 general elections, a promise witnessed by UTAG and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG). They believe this pledge represented a solemn social contract with the Ghanaian people—one that the President has yet to honor meaningfully.
UTAG highlighted several key unfulfilled promises, including:
– An immediate public denunciation of galamsey and its environmental harms.
– A directive for an immediate halt to all illegal mining activities, including the evacuation of forest reserves and river bodies.
– Empowerment of law enforcement agencies to act independently, without fear or favor, irrespective of political affiliations.
– Implementation of coherent and practical anti-galamsey policies.
– Dismissals of local government officials who permit or protect illegal mining activities in their jurisdictions.
The statement pointed to ongoing environmental destruction, particularly in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Ahafo regions, as evidence of the administration’s failure to translate promises into substantive change. While UTAG acknowledged the Attorney General’s instructions for the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate alleged political figures involved in illegal mining, they insisted that “more significant and coordinated action is needed to eradicate the galamsey menace permanently.”
UTAG also urged the President to honor supplementary campaign commitments, including the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency in areas heavily affected by galamsey.
“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,” the statement warned.
The association called on its members and the general public to remain vigilant and united in protecting the environment for future generations. “The time for rhetoric is over; the time for action is now,” they declared, underscoring the importance of immediate and effective measures to tackle the illegal mining crisis.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
