Organised Labour is set to convene on Tuesday, October 1, to finalize plans for a nationwide protest against the government’s perceived inaction in combating illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
Several unions and associations had earlier signaled their intention to demonstrate at the end of September if the president did not declare a state of emergency to address the ongoing environmental destruction caused by galamsey activities, which are ravaging rivers and forest reserves.
General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, Abdul Moomin Gbana, confirmed the upcoming meeting, stating that leadership will review the developments and decide on the course of action.
“We have agreed that we will meet, hopefully, on Tuesday… to review all that has happened over the period and consolidate our position on the way forward,” Gbana said.
He emphasized that Organised Labour is unlikely to deviate from its original plan, which he expects will be endorsed at Tuesday’s meeting.
Gbana also expressed disappointment with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s silence on the matter during his speech at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards on Saturday, September 28.
“It is clear that the President is either overwhelmed, giving up on the fight, or he simply wants to tell the Ghanaian people that we cannot call his bluff,” he said, stressing that Organised Labour remains committed to fighting the illegal mining menace.
