As part of the concerns raised by people, organisations, and pressure groups to get the government to put a ban on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, UTAG members voted to declare industrial action in favour of a national ban on mining in forest reserves, farmlands, and rivers on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
However, some members opposed the strike action and have filed a petition for the national leadership to suspend the strike action.
Speaking in an interview on TV3's KeyPoints, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Professor Gyampo alleged that the 'rebel' members of UTAG opposing the strike action are being influenced by some big wigs in the NPP.
He asserted that some NPP big wigs have made calls to sway UTAG members not to join the strike.