UTAG Threatens Industrial Action Over Deteriorating Water Bodies from Illegal Mining

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has reiterated its readiness to initiate industrial action if the government does not declare a state of emergency in response to the deteriorating conditions of the country’s water bodies, which are severely affected by illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey.

UTAG’s National President, Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, voiced this commitment ahead of a scheduled meeting with the government on Tuesday, October 1. He stated that the association is prepared to take decisive measures if concrete steps are not taken to address the situation. Prof. Akudugu emphasized that UTAG is not alone in this battle, as organized labor is likely to join their efforts if the government fails to act promptly.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, September 30, Prof. Akudugu stressed that UTAG’s resolve remains firm, insisting that their demands for immediate government intervention must be met. “Our demands should be met – that’s our position. In our release, we were very clear about what we would do if our demands were not met – we would embark on industrial action. We still stand by that,” he asserted.

UTAG has been advocating for the government to declare a state of emergency to tackle the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey, which has led to the pollution of major water bodies nationwide. The association issued an ultimatum, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September 2024 if a total ban on illegal mining is not implemented.

In a strongly worded statement, UTAG criticized state-led efforts to combat illegal mining, describing them as “failed and corruption-infested militarized battles.” The association highlighted the extensive damage caused by illegal mining, including the destruction of over 2.5 million hectares of forest cover, a 35% increase in respiratory diseases in mining areas, and an estimated annual cost of $2.3 billion to the economy.

Additionally, Prof. Akudugu urged the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to sign a binding pact committing to a robust campaign against galamsey. “This is something that should be immediate for them to do,” he stated, emphasizing that UTAG’s next steps will be determined by the government’s response to their demands.

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