The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on government to immediately prosecute individuals arrested for engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) activities.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 17 following a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on October 16, 2024, UTAG emphasised that its ongoing strike, which began on October 10, is a direct protest against the destructive mining of waterbodies, forest reserves, and farmlands.

The statement highlighted that despite continuous efforts to engage the government on this issue, there has been little progress and that UTAG's attempts to discuss proposals on tackling illegal mining and promoting sustainable practices have so far failed to yield results.

UTAG acknowledged some government initiatives aimed at curbing illegal mining—such as initiating the revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), and deploying additional military personnel.

However, it criticised the efforts as fragmented and insufficient to address the broader environmental crisis.

"NEC wishes to report that from our sources in Parliament, the revocation process has started. We are closely monitoring this process and expect Parliament to take swift action to expedite the revocation. 

"We also ask that the government swiftly revoke all licenses that are not yet finalised but have started the processes and take measures to annul existing licenses for mining in waterbodies and forest reserves," the statement urged.

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UTAG expressed concern that the deployment of only 100 military personnel, with a mandate limited to protecting waterbodies, leaves forest reserves and farmlands vulnerable to illegal mining.

It said that media reports have shown that illegal mining activities are still ongoing in forest reserves, undermining the government’s efforts.

UTAG also raised alarm over disturbing incidents where illegal miners, in some cases supported by rogue state security personnel, overpowered official task force members and detained journalists reporting on their activities.

It called for an end to the practice of tipping off miners about task force operations, which has severely weakened anti-galamsey efforts.

UTAG stressed the need for a more strategic and sustainable response, urging the government to broaden the scope of the task force’s mandate to cover forest reserves and farmlands.

"While the efforts made by the government so far are commendable, a lot more sustained and strategic interventions are needed to yield the desired impact Ghanaians expect," the statement noted.

UTAG criticised the lack of progress in establishing designated courts to prosecute illegal miners, as outlined in the government’s roadmap.

It also lamented the delay in implementing a national pact, where all presidential candidates for the 2024 elections would commit to combating illegal mining.

On the back of this, the association urged the government to take further decisive actions, including "expanding the task force’s mandate to include forest reserves and farmlands would ensure a comprehensive approach to stopping the destruction, especially by illegal mining activities. 

"Expediting parliamentary revocation of the L.I. 2462 to curb mining in forest reserves, commencing immediate prosecution of individuals arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities and engaging with UTAG to discuss proposals on how to fight illegal mining while promoting responsible and sustainable mining for inclusive development."