Professor Eric Abavare, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has defended his recent statement referring to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a \u201cjoker\u201d in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.<\/p>\n The professor made his comment on Channel One TV on Saturday, October 12, 2024, during a discussion regarding the government’s approach to addressing the galamsey problem.<\/p>\n Prof. Abavare sharply criticized the president\u2019s handling of the issue, suggesting that the government’s efforts to reclaim lands destroyed by illegal mining have been far from satisfactory.<\/p>\n His remark drew criticism from Enoch Afoakwa, a member of the communications team for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who expressed disapproval of the language used.<\/p>\n Despite the backlash, Prof. Abavare stood his ground, stating that he deliberately chose his words and fully supports his position.<\/p>\n \u201cI called the president a joker, and I have no regrets. If we look at the environmental audit report and see that less than 1 percent of damaged lands have been reclaimed, that\u2019s a failure by any standard,\u201d citinewsroom.com quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n He emphasized that his criticism was not driven by malice but rather a desire for the government to succeed in tackling the galamsey issue. \u201cI want my country and government to succeed. If they fail, it means we all fail,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n AM\/OGB<\/p>\n Watch the first episode of GhanaWeb TV\u2019s Campaign Trail below<\/b>:<\/p>\n![\"Professor](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanaweb.com\/imagelib\/pics\/485\/48565733.295.jpg\" "\\"Professor")
Professor Eric Abavare, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n