Universities

UTAG Calls for Immediate Nationwide Ban on Mining and Prospecting for Gold and Other Minerals in Forest Reserves, Farms and Rivers

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) is calling for the immediate ban on Mining and Prospecting for Gold and Other Minerals in Forest Reserves, Farms and Rivers nationwide.

A statement released on Monday, September 9, UTAG made it clear that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and general mining in the forest reserves, has devastated Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands.

According to UTAG, numerous scholars have described the state-led efforts to combat galamsey in the Fourth Republic as “failed and corruption-infested militarized battles.” They stated that the current alarming state of illegal mining in the country, these critiques are difficult to dispute.

UTAG is therefore calling for a total ban on galamsey now.

“Several stakeholders reveal that if the current trajectory continues, Ghana may be forced to import potable water within six years. Cocoa productivity, once a cornerstone of our dear economy, has declined by 45% this year. Experts estimate that illegal mining costs the economy $2.3 billion annually. The Forestry Commission reports that over 2.5 million hectares of forest cover have been permanently destroyed. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has identified a 35% rise in respiratory diseases in mining areas, and the alarming statistics continue. This situation correlates very well with 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. While mining has been an integral part of our lives for a long time, these devastating developments are linked to the evil actions of greedy people involved in these activities whose quest for wealth is insatiable. Have we not already destroyed 50% of what our forefathers left us? The time for action is now. All forms of small- scale mining must be banned immediately,” the statement added.

.The UTAG has resolutely resolved to engage in the combat against illegal mining (galamsey) in the country and will exhaust all legal skills to this end. They consider that measures taken by the government such as Operation Vanguard and Operation Flashout are not effective. The evidence is that small-scale mining which was supposed to help Ghanaians has done more harm rather than good, but it has become an avenue for making money among the politicians, chiefs, and the wealthy. It seems that even robust measures employed by some traditional rulers like Otumfour Nana Osei-Tutu II, the Asantehene, are not sufficient to contain the menacing threat.