The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his performance within the first 120 days of office.
However, the union has expressed deep concerns about the government’s approach to tackling the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to Prof. Eric Abavare, President of UTAG-KNUST, while the government has made some notable progress in other areas, its efforts to combat galamsey have been woefully inadequate.
Speaking in an interview with Citi news, Prof. Abavare gave the government a dismal rating of less than 10% in its fight against illegal mining.
“The government has done abysmally poor in tackling galamsey. We have Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report which contains all the information, so if the minister, Hon Armah-Kofi Buah wants to fight as he claims, then nothing prevents him from taking that report and working with it,” Prof. Abavare stated.
The UTAG-KNUST President’s sentiments were echoed by some residents of Kumasi, who while acknowledging the President’s efforts in other areas, are calling for more decisive action to curb the galamsey menace.
“I think so far so good, and I think it is because he has experienced it before. This time he is careful and he is trying to do what Ghanaians want,” said Gabriel Owusu, a resident of Kumasi.
However, residents are urging the President to intensify efforts to combat galamsey, which has had devastating effects on the environment, water bodies, and the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.
The concerns raised by UTAG-KNUST and residents of Kumasi highlight the need for the government to prioritize the fight against galamsey and take concrete steps to address this pressing issue.