The President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Eric Abavare, has attributed Ghana’s failure to curb illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, to moral decay and failed leadership among the country’s elders and political class.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Prof Abavare said the ongoing destruction of water bodies and forest reserves is not merely the result of weak law enforcement but a symptom of deep-seated selfishness and disregard for the welfare of future generations.

He said apart from the lack of political will to address the problem; the actions of some leaders reflect greed and moral bankruptcy.

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“Apart from the lack of political will, we have greedy, dotard elders and leaders in this country who don’t care one bit about anyone but themselves, their families, and friends. They don’t care about any unborn generation,” he wrote.

Prof Abavare stated that this attitude has fueled frustration and hopelessness among the youth, many of whom feel justified in engaging in illegal mining because they believe the nation’s leaders have already failed them.

He further noted that the “galamsey” crisis reflects a moral leadership vacuum, arguing that Ghana’s elders have failed to set a good example of integrity and stewardship.

“We claim to have elders, yet they carry the cliché ‘miwua namiko’ — to wit, ‘if I die, I’m no more.’ This mindset explains why the country is on autopilot,” he lamented.

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The UTAG-KNUST President called for a national moral renewal, urging the government, traditional authorities, and civic institutions to confront the root causes of greed, corruption, and short-term thinking that continue to undermine the fight against illegal mining.

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