Ransford Gyampo, a professor at the University of Ghana, has reminded President John Dramani Mahama about the agreement he signed with organized labor before the 2024 general elections regarding the issue of illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey). Gyampo made this remark following a meeting between the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and President Mahama earlier this week.
During an appearance on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, January 25, Prof. Gyampo shed light on the recent meeting. He stated, “We reminded the President about the commitment he made to address illegal mining (galamsey). Since the President himself signed this commitment, we hope and believe that he will not let us down.” The delegation also took the opportunity to discuss critical issues with the Vice President, specifically the pressing challenges facing higher education institutions and the nation as a whole.
Issues discussed included; infrastructure deficits that hamper the academic and administrative functions of universities, high student-to-lecturer ratio that affects the quality of teaching and learning, deteriorated conditions of service of University Staff, poor national research funding that undermines innovations and knowledge transfer, legal framework for the Ghana Universities Superannuation Scheme (GUSSS), fight against illegal mining (galamsey) and its negative environmental impacts and national security challenges and issues of peace. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed her gratitude to UTAG and TUTAG for the congratulatory message and assured the Associations of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges discussed.
By: Laud Nartey
