KEY POINTS
- GMet and GIHOC leaders have threatened job losses for staff joining the nationwide strike.
- The strike, aimed at protesting illegal mining, is set to begin on October 10, 2024.
- Both agencies cite national security and essential services as reasons for their warnings.
Senior officials at GIHOC Ltd. and the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) have threatened to fire workers if they join organized labor’s planned statewide protest against unlawful mining. The importance of their services and the possible influence on national security have been underlined by both agencies.
GMet Board Chairman warns against strike participation
Staff members have received a severe warning from GMet Board Chairman Isaac Amoo, who has threatened to fire anyone who joins the strike.
According to Graphic Online, Amoo emphasized the critical role GMet plays in national security while speaking at an internal event at the agency’s Accra headquarters. GMet provides critical meteorological data for emergency services, aviation, and agriculture.
Amoo said, “Any employee who chooses to join this strike should consider themselves sacked,” highlighting the significance of the agency and the necessity of continuing to run its business as usual throughout the statewide strike that is set for October 10, 2024.
GIHOC Managing Director issues similar threat
Similarly, GIHOC Ltd.’s managing director, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, has threatened to fire or suspend workers who participate in the strike for the duration of the demonstration.
In a television interview, Jumah echoed Amoo’s remarks regarding the vital importance of their work by voicing concerns about the possible disruption to the business’s operations.
Both GIHOC and GMet have defended their strict stance against workers joining the strike by portraying themselves as vital service providers.
Strike set to begin despite warnings
In order to protest unlawful mining activities, organized labor has called for a statewide strike; nevertheless, tensions have increased due to threats from both GIHOC and GMet.
With less than few hours until the strike begins, employees are being forced to choose between job security and joining in the protest. It is unclear how employees and the general public will react.