The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called for an immediate nationwide ban on mining and prospecting for gold and other minerals in Ghana’s forest reserves, farms, and rivers.

UTAG made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, 9 September 2024, in response to the severe environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities, also known as ‘galamsey.’

UTAG highlighted the critical damage inflicted on the country’s natural resources and environment, describing ongoing state-led efforts to combat galamsey as “failed and corruption-infested militarised battles”.

It continued: “Given the current alarming state of illegal mining in the country, these critiques are difficult to dispute,” while calling for a total ban on “galamsey now”.

UTAG warned of dire consequences if the current trend continued.

“Cocoa productivity, once a cornerstone of our dear economy, has declined by 45 per cent this year. Experts estimate that illegal mining costs the economy USD2.3 billion annually. The Forestry Commission reports that over 2.5 million hectares of forest cover have been permanently destroyed,” the statement noted.

Additionally, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has identified a 35 per cent rise in respiratory diseases in mining areas, attributed to “high levels of particulate matter and harmful chemical toxins such as mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, etc., found in water bodies, soils, and foods in these mining areas.”

UTAG condemned the illegal mining activities as the result of “the evil actions of greedy people whose quest for wealth is insatiable,” questioning: “Have we not already destroyed 50 per cent of what our forefathers left us? The time for action is now. All forms of small-scale mining must be banned immediately.”

The association also criticised government-led initiatives such as Operation Vanguard and Operation Flashout, labelling them as “monumental failures”.

UTAG argued small-scale mining had become “a tool for economic empowerment for the political class, chieftaincy leaders, and the elite,” with disastrous effects on the general population.

Despite efforts by traditional leaders like the Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Osei-Tutu II, to combat illegal mining, UTAG expressed skepticism about their effectiveness.

“It does not appear that the rigid and bold stands of some traditional leaders like the Asantehene would yield the desired results with the carnage currently on the rise,” the statement indicated.

The association is, therefore, mobilising all Ghanaians to support the call for a total ban on mining in forest reserves, farms, and water bodies.

The statement revealed: “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.”

The association also emphasised its commitment to using every constitutional means to enforce its demands.

 “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,” the statement added.