1 month ago
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Organised Labour yesterday suspended its indefinite nationwide strike planned for today to compel the government, to, among other demands, declare a state of emergency on illegal mining (galamsey).
The decision followed a meeting between organised labour and the government, during which President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo offered enhanced measures to boost the fight against the menace.
• Mr Joshua Ansah, TUC boss (second
from left), addressing the media after the
meeting Photo: Anita Nyarko Yirenkyi
The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, who disclosed this to journalists after an emergency meeting by the labour unions yesterday, asked all workers to report for work today.
“Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures. The government will hear from us if it fails to do the needful,” he announced.
The announcement was the climax of series of statements issued by some unions and associations including the Ghana Medical Association, to distance themselves from the strike, and threats by some employers to deal with workers who will stay at home in compliance to the strike.
The emergency meeting held behind closed doors for close to two hours was characterised by heated arguments over what highly placed sources in the meeting attributed to the displeasures of some union representatives over the suspension of the strike.
The demands of Organised Labour included the implementation of stronger regulatory measures to protect water bodies, and the revocation of L.I. 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.
Mr Ansah said at the meeting, the government assured that enhanced and time-bound measures were being followed out to boost the fight against illegal mining which would include collaboration with organised labour and other stakeholders.
“The government has asked organised labour to nominate representatives to be part of the stakeholders committee to fight illegal mining in the country,” he added.
Mr Ansah said the government supported the call by the organised labour for all presidential candidates to sign a pact committing to the fight against illegal mining.
He stated that the government affirmed its commitment to engage with stakeholders including organised Labour and the Ghana Employers’ Association to bring an end to illegal mining in Ghana.
The Secretary General stated that government stated that it has, in collaboration with the judiciary, already established 14 dedicated courts to handle illegal mining.
“The redeployment of military and other law enforcement agencies to flush out illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves. The military is now supporting the forest Guards of the forest Commission to protect the forest reserves from destruction by illegal miner and loggers,” he said.
On the revocation of the Environment Protection (Mining on forest reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I 2462), he said the President has directed the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to submit a memorandum to Parliament when it reconvenes on October 15, 2024.
It would be recalled that on October 1, organised labour declared a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, following the failure of government to address their demands to halt illegal mining in and around river bodies and forest reserves.
Organised Labour, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and a host of other institutions and associations have called for an end to the wanton destruction of the environment and water bodies by illegal mining activities.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
