The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has issued a strong ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to fulfill his pre-election promise to tackle illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, or face possible nationwide industrial action.
Following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Thursday, UTAG released a statement expressing frustration over what it described as the government’s slow and inadequate response to the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
UTAG reminded the President of his 2024 campaign commitment—signed in the presence of UTAG and the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG)—via the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining. The association emphasized that the pledge was not merely symbolic but constituted a “solemn social contract” with the Ghanaian people.
Key unfulfilled commitments identified by UTAG include:
- A clear and public condemnation of illegal mining and its environmental impacts;
- An executive directive halting all forms of illegal mining, including operations in forests and water bodies;
- Unbiased enforcement of anti-galamsey laws, regardless of political affiliation;
- Implementation of a coherent and practical national strategy to end illegal mining;
- Sanctions against local government officials complicit in or enabling illegal mining.
The association cited worsening environmental degradation in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Ahafo regions as evidence of the administration’s failure to deliver on these commitments.
While acknowledging that the Attorney General had tasked EOCO to investigate alleged involvement of political figures in illegal mining, UTAG argued that “piecemeal measures are not enough.”
UTAG also called on the President to follow through on other key promises, including repealing Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, and declaring a state of emergency in areas most affected by galamsey operations.
“The time for rhetoric is over,” UTAG stated. “The time for action is now.”
The association warned that if the government fails to respond decisively, it will activate all constitutional means—including industrial action—to demand accountability and environmental justice.
UTAG concluded its statement with a rallying call for collective vigilance: “We urge our members and the broader public to remain united in the fight to protect our environment for future generations.”
 has issued a strong ultimatum to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to fulfill his pre-election promise to tackle illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, or face possible nationwide industrial action.){kind=link}