The General Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison has taken a swipe at government for the constant silence on illegal mining activities (galamsey) in the country.
According to him, government has the power and authority to stop the menace but has folded its arms watching our water bodies and farm lands get destroyed by illegal miners.
Dr. Harrison made this assertion during an interview with Kwamina Sam Biney on Bryt Adekye Mu Nsem on Bryt Fm in Koforidua.
“Members of university Teachers Association planned for the strike and they made it clear that they will go when the government doesn’t stop Galamsey , that was when the organized labour made their mind to join them on the strike”, he said.
“If the government does not put an end to small-scale mining, which is polluting water bodies and farmlands, they will not teach again because what is the point of teaching if the children will die tomorrow?” he rhetorically asked.
“It’s time they take the chanfan machines from the water bodies. It’s destroying the water and killing innocent citizens. Even though we are not happy with the strike, we need to do something for the government to see we are serious”. He added.
The University Teachers Association is urging the government to suspend small-scale mining temporarily, allowing for the issuance of licenses to responsible operators. Dr Harrison stressed that the strike will only be evaluated once Galamsey is halted.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
