The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has given the government until the end of September 2024 to address the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” or face a nationwide strike.
In a firm message to authorities, UTAG condemned the current approach to fighting galamsey, labelling government efforts as ineffective and plagued by corruption.
They criticised the militarised measures aimed at curbing illegal mining, arguing that they have failed to produce lasting results.
The teachers’ association is calling for a complete ban on galamsey, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and warning that continued inaction could lead to disruptive industrial action across the country’s universities.
UTAG in a statement issued Monday, September 9, noted that “numerous scholars have described the state-led efforts to combat galamsey in the Fourth Republic as failed and corruption-infested militarised battles.”
“Given the current alarming state of illegal mining in the country, these critiques are difficult to dispute. UTAG is calling for a total ban on galamsey now.”
The Association said that if the current trajectory continued, Ghana may be forced to import water within six years.
“Cocoa productivity, once a cornerstone of our dear economy, has declined by 45% this year. Experts estimate that illegal mining costs the economy $2.3 billion annually. The Forestry Commission reports that over 2.5 million hectares of forest cover have been permanently destroyed. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has identified a 35% rise in respiratory diseases in mining areas, and the alarming statistics continue.”
“This situation correlates very well with high levels of particulate matter and harmful chemical toxins such as mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, etc, found in water bodies, soils, and foods in these mining areas. While mining has been an integral part of our lives for a long time, these devastating developments are linked to the evil actions of greedy people involved in these activities whose quest for wealth is insatiable. Have we not already destroyed 50% of what our forefathers left us? The time for action is now. All forms of small-scale mining must be banned immediately,” it stated.
UTAG said it had taken a permanent stance against galamsey and would use every constitutionally available tool to ensure compliance because government-led initiatives like Operation Vanguard, Operation Flashout and other state-led efforts have been monumental failures.
“The data shows that small-scale mining has negatively affected Ghanaians and instead has evolved into a tool for economic empowerment for the political class, chieftaincy leaders, and the elite.
“It does not appear that the rigid and bold stands of some traditional leaders like the Asantehene, Otumfour Nana Osei-Tutu II, against this menace would yield the desired results with the carnage currently on the rise,” it stated.
UTAG urged for unity to protect the country’s resources, safeguard the future of the youth, and chart a sustainable path to development.
“We are calling on the Ghanaian people to support the call for a complete ban on mining in our forest reserves, farms, and water bodies. UTAG will join all labour unions in Ghana to act decisively to ensure that the right thing is done. If this is not done by the end of September 2024, we will embark on a nationwide industrial action.”
“We have taken this principled stand against galamsey because our lives depend on it. We shall not waive our demand for the complete and total ban of galamsey,” it stated.
END
