Organised Labour, led by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has issued a strong warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September if urgent action is not taken to combat the growing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
In a statement released by Joshua Ansah, the Secretary General of the TUC, the group demanded an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in areas affected by illegal mining. Organised Labour also called for a complete halt to mining activities in forest reserves, the establishment of special courts to expedite the prosecution of galamsey operators, and the deployment of military forces to eliminate all mining equipment in the affected regions.
Ansah emphasized that the government’s inaction has led to widespread environmental destruction, including the devastation of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves.
“If no decisive measures are taken by the end of September,” the statement warned, “Organised Labour will embark on demonstrations and a nationwide strike to compel the government to act.”
The TUC’s statement increases pressure on the government to tackle the galamsey issue, which continues to cause severe harm to Ghana’s natural resources and the livelihoods of local communities.