The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” effective Tuesday, October 29th, 2024.
The decision came after extensive deliberations by the UTAG National Executive Council (NEC).
The strike, which began on October 10th, aimed to pressure the government to ban mining and prospecting for gold and other minerals in forest reserves, farms, and water bodies.
The union highlighted the devastating environmental impact of galamsey, citing the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, agricultural lands, and livelihoods.
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Throughout the strike, UTAG members engaged in various awareness campaigns, advocating for decisive action on the issue.
Their efforts included a hashtag campaign, media outreach, and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
Beyond the ban on mining, UTAG also called for the revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462) and urged the government to expand the scope of its task force to include forest reserves in the fight against illegal mining.
The union also developed a pact for candidates of the 2024 Presidential Election, aiming to secure their commitment to combatting galamsey.
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Despite the suspension of the strike, UTAG has requested its members to affirm or reject the decision.
The National Independent Elections Committee (NIEC) is tasked with facilitating this process by the end of Monday, October 28th, 2024, to make an immediate decision on the suspension.
UTAG expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of its members during the strike and acknowledged the collaboration of stakeholders who have committed to working towards a sustainable future for Ghana.