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Organised labour has suspended its nationwide strike that was planned for Thursday (10 October) after the government agreed to meet key demands concerning the fight against illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
The strike had been intended to push for urgent action to protect the country’s water bodies from the environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities.
On Wednesday (9 October), the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, announced the decision following discussions with the government the day before.
The talks led to the government offering enhanced, time-bound measures in response to the concerns raised by organised labour and the Ghana Employers Association.
“The meeting discussed at length organised labour’s response to the earlier measures announced by government,” Ansah stated. “Following this meeting, government offered enhanced and time-bound measures in respect of our demands and the fight against illegal mining.”
The agreed measures include the revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (LI 2642).
President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to submit a memorandum for its repeal when Parliament reconvenes on 15 October 2024.
Additionally, the military will be redeployed, alongside other law enforcement agencies, to clear illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves.
The military is already working with Forestry Commission guards to safeguard these areas from further destruction.
Furthermore, the government has established 14 dedicated courts, comprising seven high courts and seven circuit courts, to expedite the prosecution of illegal mining cases.
Organised labour has also been invited to join a stakeholder committee aimed at enhancing collaboration in the fight against galamsey.
In a significant development, the government has endorsed a call for all presidential candidates to sign a pact committing to the eradication of illegal mining.
“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,” Ansah added.
Despite suspending the strike, Ansah cautioned that organised labour would closely monitor the government’s implementation of these promises.
“We are calling all workers to report for work on 10th of October 2024 and beyond. Organised labour will clearly monitor the implementation of these measures which government has made and governments will hear from us if it fails to do the needful,” he warned.
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