Dr. Bismarck Parker, Chairman of the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) at Kumasi Technical University, is calling for the immediate recall of Parliament to address the pressing issue of L.I 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves.
With barely 21 parliament sitting days left before the upcoming elections scheduled for December 7, 2024, he emphasizes the urgency of the situation, urging the government to take swift action to protect the environment and public health.
During an interview on ABC in the Morning, Parker stated, “For us, the issues that we expect the government to act on promptly admit that the condition has become an existential threat.”
He reiterated the demand for Parliament’s recall, highlighting the lack of a clear timeline from the government regarding the repeal of L.I 2462.
“So we are saying that there should be an immediate recall,” he insisted, reflecting the gravity of the circumstances at hand.
This decision follows the withdrawal of Organized Labour from a nationwide strike without consulting TUTAG, which the association deems as undermining the collective strength of the labor movement.
Their demands include the immediate revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I 2462), a halt to new mining licenses, and a review of all existing licenses in environmentally sensitive areas, particularly around water bodies and forest reserves.
TUTAG has declared a strike in response to the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining, joining forces with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), which recently announced an indefinite strike across all its branches.
