The Majority Leader in Parliament and MP for Efutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) of being political and making unreasonable demands to the government.

The association has stated that it will call off its ongoing strike action if the government revokes LI 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves.

In an interview on Adom FM monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, October 14, 2024, he stated, "UTAG is being political, and their demands are unreasonable to say the least."

He further accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of not doing enough to address the illegal mining menace, also referred to as galamsey.

"We were in this country when the galamasey menance started during NDC's time.
And I am not being political here; in 2015, I was a member of the Finance Committee of Parliament. Seth Tekper told us that the problems in the cocoa sector were due to galamsey. He told us he wanted the help of MPs in galamsey areas at that time.


He acknowledged the efforts of the President in the fight against the menace.

"Although the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, put his job on the line, he was not entirely successful. There have been issues here and there. Those NDC MPs from galamsey area run from the chamber whenever we are discussing issues of galamsey in Parliament.

"What did the Mahama-led government do to fight galamsey? We have not been wholly successful. Has this issue received the political will of all polticians?

"You remember a month ago, I issued a caution to the political class. Let's be careful. It may take us by surprise", he noted.

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, UTAG initiated an indefinite strike following a strong vote in favor of industrial action aimed at supporting a national ban on illegal mining and prospecting activities in ecologically sensitive regions.

In a referendum organised by UTAG’s National Executive Council (NEC), 2,153 out of 2,762 members voted in favor of the strike, demanding an immediate stop to mining in forest reserves, farmlands, and water bodies.

Only 607 members voted against the strike, with just two abstentions. The NEC has referred to this outcome as "decisive mandate," which has paved the way for indefinite industrial action across all UTAG branches.

In a statement dated October 9, 2024, released by the NEC, the association expressed its members’ strong resolve to safeguard the environment.

“This decisive outcome reflects the unwavering commitment of UTAG members to protect our environment and livelihoods from the destructive impact of mining activities in ecologically sensitive areas such as forest reserves, farms, and water bodies,” the NEC said.

JKB/KA

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