KEY POINTS
- TUC plans a nationwide strike starting Oct. 10 if demands are unmet.
- Union demands a ban on mining in forest reserves.
- Galamsey threatens the environment, and livelihoods, union leaders emphasize.
The Trade Union Congress has reiterated its plan to proceed with a nationwide strike starting Oct. 10 if the government does not respond positively to its demands. The union is urging the government to ban all mining activities in forest reserves across the country, but the government has yet to act.
TUC sets Oct. 10 strike deadline over mining ban
At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, organized labour expressed frustration with the government’s inaction, especially after a September deadline was set for decisive measures against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. The group argues that galamsey is destroying the environment and the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.
As a result, the group declared a nationwide strike starting Oct. 10 to protest galamsey, warning that the economic consequences could be severe.
Speaking to JoyNews, TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah said the committee established to address the issue has been unresponsive to the union’s demands. Ansah outlined the union’s petition to the president, which included three key demands. These demands are declaring a state of emergency, revoking Legislative Instrument 2462, and deploying police and military to forest reserves and river bodies where illegal mining is rampant.
“On the 17th, when we met, the ministerial committee listened to us and asked for a week to conduct further consultation with civil society and others who have also complained about the galamsey menace,” Ansah said. “We were waiting for something from the ministerial committee, which never came, so yesterday [Tuesday] we met, and we decided that if by Oct. 10 the government doesn’t do anything positive about our demand, we will embark on an indefinite strike.”
Government inaction sparks labor frustration ahead of elections
The government’s response to these demands could have significant implications for the governing New Patriotic Party as the general election approaches in two months. However, Ansah said the TUC’s position is driven solely by the need to protect the environment.
“People are politicizing the galamsey issue. Organized labour is making a clear, responsible decision that this is a nationwide issue, affecting everyone in the country. We need to stop politicizing it,” Ansah said.
“Organized labour is urging the government to act. All political parties should sign a pact about their stance on this issue. This includes the NPP, NDC, or any other party. The pact should clarify their position on this menace hurting our country. Once signed, any politicization will expose the hypocrisy. People will see the truth clearly,” he added.
