Nationwide Strike Declared to Demand Ban on Small-Scale Mining

KEY POINTS

• Nationwide strike announced by Organised Labour demanding a ban on small-scale mining.
• Strike to begin on October 10, 2024, as a response to government’s inaction on galamsey.
• Workers urged to stay home until demands are met, aiming to pressure the government for decisive action.

Organised Labour has announced a nationwide strike, set to begin on Thursday, October 10, 2024, to push for an outright ban on all forms of small-scale mining in Ghana. The action aims to combat illegal mining, widely known as “galamsey,” which has had devastating effects on the environment and public health.

The decision was made following a crucial meeting of various labor unions after the expiration of a deadline given to the government to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining activities. The unions had set September 30, 2024, as the deadline for the government to take drastic measures against the ongoing galamsey problem.

In a statement released on October 1, Organised Labour expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction on the matter, stating, “Following the expiration of our deadline and the failure of the government to meet our demands on illegal mining, Organised Labour has decided to declare a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024.”

The statement called on all workers to stay at home starting on the announced date until their demands are met.

Unions united in demanding Government action  

The press statement was signed by prominent union leaders, including Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Isaac Bampoe Addo, Chairman of the Forum, and Kenneth Koomson, Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour.

The unions are demanding that the government take immediate action to ban all forms of small-scale mining, which they believe is the root cause of illegal mining activities that threaten the country’s natural resources.

According to the unions, illegal mining has led to severe environmental degradation, contaminating water sources and endangering communities that rely on these resources for their livelihoods.

According to Graphic Online, the leaders emphasized that an outright ban on small-scale mining is the only effective solution to this pressing issue, given the failure of current regulatory measures to curb the menace.

The unions have further urged the government to establish a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the areas affected by illegal mining activities. They argue that a coordinated effort involving both national and local authorities is necessary to ensure that Ghana’s natural environment is protected for future generations.

Appeal for worker solidarity  

Organised Labour also called for solidarity among workers nationwide, urging them to join the strike to pressure the government into implementing the ban. “We are therefore calling on all workers to stay at home starting Thursday, October 10, 2024, until the government accedes to our demands,” the statement read.

The unions stressed that this industrial action is in the interest of all citizens, as the consequences of illegal mining have impacted communities across the country, leading to polluted water bodies, degraded lands, and health hazards. They further noted that the failure of successive governments to effectively address the issue has necessitated this bold action by the labor movement.

The upcoming strike is expected to significantly affect industries and sectors across the nation, as Organised Labour represents a large portion of the country’s workforce. The unions have pledged to maintain the strike until the government takes concrete steps to ban small-scale mining and address the ongoing environmental crisis.