Abdul Razak Alhassan, the Communication Director for the Ghana Association of Small Scale Miners, has assured that major changes will be seen in the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, in the coming two weeks.
He emphasized, “We are assuring the Ghanaian populace that it shouldn’t take us two weeks, and they will see a whole lot of difference in the country.”
Alhassan urged illegal miners to vacate their camps, recognizing the severity of environmental destruction to river bodies and resources.
He stated that the battle against galamsey is fundamentally a security issue, necessitating a strategic approach that cannot be publicly disclosed.
During an appearance on ABC MIDDAY NEWS on October 9, 2024, Alhassan highlighted the urgent need for collaboration with labor unions and the government to eliminate illegal mining activities from critical areas like river bodies and forest reserves.
His resolute message to illegal miners was clear: “We are coming after all those on river bodies. We are not going to hide anyone.”
The stakes are high as the association ramps up its efforts, indicating that a robust response is on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the landscape of labor activism took an unexpected turn as Organised Labour announced the suspension of a nationwide strike originally set for October 10, 2024.
This decision stemmed from an emergency meeting held on the same day, where union leaders reassessed the situation and chose to call off the planned industrial action, which had aimed to pressure the government into declaring a state of emergency due to the rampant environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
The strike had received considerable backing from various unions, reflecting a collective demand for urgent government intervention.
The withdrawal of the strike has raised eyebrows, particularly given the unwavering resolve unions exhibited in prior discussions.
While organizations like the Ghana Medical Association and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association opted out of the strike to prioritize essential healthcare services, Organised Labour remains committed to protecting workers’ rights and addressing the illegal mining crisis.
As the nation collectively breathes a sigh of relief, the focus must remain on ensuring that the urgent calls for environmental justice are not sidelined amid the ongoing challenges.
