The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has urged civil disobedience as a tactic to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’. Speaking on Accra-based Citi News, President of the KNUST UTAG chapter, Prof. Eric Abavare, expressed frustration with the weak enforcement of mining regulations and suggested that civil disobedience may be the most effective way to compel the government to act.
“This call is not just about banning, but I truly call for civil disobedience,” he remarked. Civil disobedience, defined as the deliberate and public refusal to comply with certain laws or orders, is seen by Prof. Abavare as a necessary step to hold authorities accountable for their lack of progress in curbing illegal mining.
UTAG’s national body had previously issued a stern ultimatum on September 9, warning the government that a nationwide strike would be initiated by the end of September 2024 if a comprehensive ban on illegal mining, or ‘galamsey’, is not enforced. The association’s statement condemned the government’s ongoing efforts to address illegal mining, calling them “corruption-infested militarized battles” and emphasizing the severe impact ‘galamsey’ has had on the country.
This includes the destruction of 2.5 million hectares of forest, a 35% increase in respiratory illnesses in mining communities, and an estimated annual economic cost of $2.3 billion. UTAG’s call for civil disobedience highlights the growing urgency among various stakeholders to end the destructive practice of ‘galamsey’ and protect Ghana’s natural resources.