The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has joined the call the ban of galamsey, or illegal mining in the country’s forest reserves.
Ghana’s waterways, forests, and agricultural lands have all been severely damaged, according to UTAG.
This information was released in a press release on September 9, 2024.
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“Numerous scholars have described the state-led efforts to combat galamsey in the Fourth Republic as “failed and corruption-infested militarized 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,” UTAG urged.
“Several stakeholders reveal that if the current trajectory continues, Ghana may be forced to import potable water within six years. Cocoa productivity, once a cornerstone of our dear economy, has declined by 45 percent this year. Experts estimate that illegal mining costs the economy $2.3 billion annually.
More than 2.5 million hectares of forest cover have been irreversibly removed, according to the Forestry Commission.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported concerning numbers showing a 35 percent increase in respiratory ailments in mining areas.
High concentrations of particulate matter and dangerous chemical pollutants—including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium found in the water, soil, and food of these mining regions are highly correlated with this condition.
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,” it added.
It further stated that, “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.
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“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’s time to #BANgalamsey and ban it for good”
