UTAG threatens industrial action over ‘Mahama’s inaction’ on galamsey

• Posted on July 21, 2025July 21, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a stern call to President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his pre-election pledge to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that failure to act decisively could trigger industrial action.

In a statement released after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday, July 17, UTAG expressed deep concern over the government’s lack of tangible progress in the fight against galamsey, despite some modest gains by the security agencies.

The association 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). The pledge, UTAG insists, constituted a solemn social contract with the Ghanaian people—a contract the President is yet to honour meaningfully.

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.

The statement points to continuing environmental destruction, particularly in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Ahafo regions, as evidence of the administration’s failure to translate promises into real change.

While UTAG acknowledged instructions from the Attorney General for EOCO to investigate alleged political actors involved in illegal mining, it maintained that “more significant and coordinated action is needed to eradicate the galamsey menace in the country permanently.”

UTAG further urged the President to honour 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 fulfil 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 fulfilment 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,” part of the statement read.