Accra, Tuesday, December 3rd 2024: The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG), a national coalition comprising the Media, Organised Labour, Religious groups, Youth organisations, academia, Civil society, Traditional leaders, and Business organisations, announces a significant step in the fight against illegal and irresponsible mining (galamsey).
In partnership with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and other patriotic organisations, the Coalition has invited the Presidential Candidates contesting the 2024 elections to sign the National Pledge of Presidential Candidates Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining.
This pledge represents a unified commitment to ending galamsey and restoring Ghana’s waterbodies, forest reserves, and environmental heritage for posterity.
By signing this pact, Presidential Candidates will affirm their political will and demonstrate leadership in combating this critical issue, which has devastating implications for the nation’s environment, economy, and public health.
The gravity of these implications cannot be overstated.
The pledge underscores the importance of strong collaboration between political leaders, civil society, traditional authorities, and local communities.
It is a call to action for all aspirants to embody the spirit of responsibility and national interest, positioning themselves as champions in the fight against galamsey. Each one of us has a role to play in this collective effort.
The GCAG firmly believes that this initiative will shape a new social contract with the people of Ghana, inspiring collective action and creating a legacy of environmental stewardship for future generations.
Presidential Candidates who commit to the pledge will address one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental crises and set a standard of accountability and leadership.
The GCAG hereby invites all media organisations to a press conference on Thursday, December 5th, 2024, at the International Press Centre to announce to Ghana on all the Presidential Candidates who have signed the PACT.
We urge you to cover this important event and help us spread the message.
A copy of the invitation letter and the PACT to the Presidential Candidates is attached.
The clock is ticking. Failure to sign this pact could mean perpetuating the environmental crisis and its dire consequences for our nation.
Signed for the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey
Kenneth Ashigbey
Convenor
GCAG
Bernard Owusu
Chairman-General Transport
Petroleum & Chemicals Workers Union of TUC
Prof M.A Akudugu National President
UTAG
About The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) comprises coalitions and a network of organisations from 10 blocks: the Media, Labour, Religious Groups, Youth Groups, Research and academia, Pressure Groups, CSOs, Professional Bodies, Traditional Leaders, and Business bodies.
The Coalition is a common platform for all Against Galamsey Groups’ (AGG) to harmonise advocacy and social action interventions in the fight against galamsey.
We believe that only through unity and collective action can we effectively combat this issue.
The focus of the campaign against illegal mining activities is not limited to gold exploitation, but includes all mining offences committed under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) based on the premise that the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, states that any mining activity that takes place without ratification by Parliament is illegal
