The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on all labour unions and individuals to join in the demand for a ban on illegal mining.
In an interview with Citi News, Prof. Eric Abavare, President of UTAG KNUST, expressed regret that the country’s laws are ineffective against illegal mining despite numerous initiatives.
He suggested civil disobedience, arguing that the current laws no longer work.
Prof. Abavare criticised politicians for funding illegal mining to advance their political ambitions, noting that these activities often increase during election years.
He warned that if action is not taken now, galamseyers could become an even greater threat to the country in the future.
This appeal follows a release by the Association threatening to embark on a strike if no action is taken against illegal mining.
Prof. Abavare emphasised the need for unity, calling on all Ghanaians, including the media and self-employed individuals, to join the fight against illegal mining.
He highlighted two critical concerns which are the potential for illegal mining to lead to the formation of mining cartels, similar to drug cartels in South America, and the increased exchange of weapons among galamseyers.
Prof. Abavare stressed that urgent action is needed to prevent these scenarios from unfolding.
He said, “So we must unite as a country, as a union, so I call on every Ghanaian, everywhere, be it self-employed media, anyone who understands the effect of this.
“And let me use the opportunity to highlight two important things that we have not envisaged that are yet to come. You know, in the southern Americas, the Columbia, and those places, the drug dealers, the drug barons, they have these groupings of mafias controlling certain places.”
“The same thing is going to happen here. On the basis of the same groupings of the galamsey concessions, we are going to have mining overlords, just like the drug overlords and if you have mining overloads, that’s why weapons are going to be exchanging hands. Even now, such a thing is ongoing. And so if you don’t fight it now, it’s going to degenerate.”
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