A senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to honour the agreement he signed with organised labour ahead of the 2024 general elections, which focused on combating illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
Prof. Gyampo made the remarks on TV3’s Key Points program on Saturday, January 25, while discussing a meeting held between the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the President.
During the meeting, UTAG highlighted critical national and institutional challenges, including illegal mining and its devastating environmental impact. Prof. Gyampo emphasised the significance of the president’s personal commitment to tackling the galamsey menace.
“We reminded the President about the pact he signed to address galamsey. Because the president himself signed the pact, we hope and believe that he will not disappoint,” Prof. Gyampo said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for UTAG and the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) to present other pressing concerns affecting higher education in the country. Among the issues discussed were:
- Infrastructure Deficits: Inadequate facilities affecting both academic and administrative operations.
- High Student-to-Lecturer Ratios: Challenges in maintaining the quality of teaching and learning due to disproportionate class sizes.
- Deteriorated Conditions of Service: The need for better remuneration and benefits for university staff.
- Poor National Research Funding: Insufficient support for innovation and knowledge transfer initiatives.
- GUSSS Legal Framework: Concerns over the Ghana Universities Superannuation Scheme and its administration.
- National Security and Peace: Broader concerns about security and stability in the country.
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President and former Education Minister, represented the government during the discussions. She expressed gratitude to UTAG and TUTAG for their ongoing support and congratulatory messages.
She assured the delegation of the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing their concerns, particularly those related to illegal mining, which has significant environmental and social consequences.
Prof. Gyampo’s reminder underscores the expectation that the President will remain accountable to the commitments made during his campaign. Stakeholders are hopeful that the government will deliver practical and sustainable solutions to galamsey and other pressing issues affecting the education sector and the nation.
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