UTAG charges Mahama to end ‘galamsey’ immediately, threatens strike

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a stern ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama, demanding swift and comprehensive action to end the ongoing menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The association has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike should the government fail to address the issue with the urgency it deserves.

In a press release issued over the weekend, UTAG expressed grave concern over the escalating environmental degradation and the destruction of water bodies across the country, particularly in regions hosting major academic institutions. The association emphasized that the unchecked activities of illegal miners are not only undermining the health and well-being of local communities but also compromising the quality of education.

“Our students are forced to study in environments surrounded by polluted rivers, contaminated air, and deforested lands. This is unacceptable,” said Professor Samuel Nkansah, UTAG’s National President. “We can no longer stay silent while the lifeblood of this country is siphoned off by galamsey operators, some of whom allegedly operate under the protection of political elites.”

The group noted that the Mahama administration has had more than enough time to develop and implement a sustainable anti-galamsey strategy. UTAG insists that the fight against illegal mining must be depoliticized and treated as a national emergency.

Among the measures UTAG is calling for are:

• Immediate deployment of military and police taskforces to halt galamsey operations.

• The prosecution of individuals, regardless of status, found to be complicit in illegal mining activities.

• A national dialogue on alternative livelihoods for youth engaged in galamsey.

• Restoration and protection of Ghana’s major water bodies, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin Rivers.

UTAG further warned that if there is no tangible progress within the next 30 days, its members across all public universities will lay down their tools in protest.

“This is not just about trees and rivers; this is about the soul of Ghana. If the government cannot protect the environment, then it has failed in its constitutional duty,” the statement concluded.

As the country braces for the 2024 general elections, this bold stance by UTAG may signal a growing wave of civil activism demanding accountability and environmental justice.