Prof. Mamudu Akudugu
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has threatened to embark on industrial action if President John Mahama fails to honour the anti-galamsey pledge he voluntarily signed prior to the 2024 general election.
A statement jointly signed and issued on Sunday, July 20, 2025 by the President of UTAG, Prof. Mamudu Akudugu and the National Secretary, Prof. Eliasu Mumuni, said though effort by the government to fight illegal mining is commendable, more significant and coordinated action is needed to eradicate the galamsey menace permanently.
“The NEC of UTAG urgently calls on His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, to honour the anti-galamsey pledge he voluntarily signed prior to the 2024 general election. This commitment, enshrined in the National Pledge by Presidential Candidate Taken Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining (Galamsey) in Ghana, and witnessed by both the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) and UTAG, constituted a solemn social contract with the Ghanaian people to combat illegal mining and restore environmental integrity,” the statement disclosed.
It said even though President Mahama pledged to publicly denounce the practice of galamsey upon assumption of office, given its impact on the health, safety as well as well-being of present and future generations, it is however yet to witness any significant action taken by government to fulfil the pledge after six months in office.
“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,” he stated.
According to UTAG, while acknowledging the modest gains achieved by the government through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the security services, particularly the Ghana Police Service in the fight against galamsey, it strongly believes “much is left to be desired as the wanton destruction of the environment continues unabated.”
“President Mahama’s assumption of office has not yet yielded the concrete actions required to match the gravity of his pledge. UTAG, as a community of scholars, researchers, and defenders of sustainable development, deems it necessary to remind the President of the specific commitments he made and the urgency with which they must be fulfilled. President Mahama must now walk the talk,” part of the statement read.
UTAG further mentioned that it is also yet to see the President’s pledge to halt and reverse the wanton destruction of forest reserves, water bodies and arable lands using law enforcement agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, National Security, Attorney General’s Department, and the Judiciary.
The Association also added that despite President Mahama publicly admitting that galamsey is a national emergency and needed a taskforce to halt it, especially in the forest reserves and water bodies, his actions on this promise are yet to “be felt on the ground, as he has continuously declined to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-endemic areas to give practical meaning to the pledge.”
“UTAG further calls on the President to honour additional campaign commitments made to Ghanaians in 2024, including the repeal of L.I. 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected regions. The time for decisive leadership is now. Illegal mining represents an existential threat, devastating our rivers, forests, agricultural lands, and future livelihoods,” it added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah