The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued an ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama, demanding immediate and decisive action to fulfil his 2024 electoral pledge to eradicate illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In a press statement, UTAG’s National Executive Council (NEC) expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s progress, warning of potential industrial action if concrete steps are not taken swiftly.
“President Mahama’s assumption of office has not yet yielded the concrete actions required to match the gravity of his pledge. The time for rhetoric is over; the time for action is now.”
President Mahama’s commitment was formalized in the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining, signed ahead of the 2024 elections and witnessed by UTAG and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG).
UTAG views this as a “solemn social contract” with the Ghanaian people.
Six months into President Mahama’s administration, UTAG says five key promises remain unfulfilled:
* Public Denunciation of Galamsey: No operationalisation of the pledge to denounce illegal mining.
* Immediate Halt of Activities: No state of emergency declared in galamsey-endemic areas.
* Law Enforcement Without Bias: No visible crackdown on politically connected offenders.
* Permanent Anti-Galamsey Policies: No coherent long-term strategy implemented.
* Zero Tolerance Messaging: No dismissals of MMDCEs allegedly complicit in illegal mining.
Additionally, UTAG called for the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which controversially permitted mining in forest reserves. While government pronouncements suggest a repeal is underway, UTAG insists urgency is paramount.
The association cited alarming environmental degradation, with rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim severely polluted and farmlands ravaged across Western North, Ashanti, Eastern, and Ahafo regions.
UTAG warned that failure to act would trigger constitutionally sanctioned measures, including industrial action, a move that could disrupt academic calendars nationwide.
“Illegal mining represents an existential threat, devastating our rivers, forests, agricultural lands, and future livelihoods”.
