Intelligence gathered by The Chronicle from organised labour circles suggests a fragmented front and the pending nationwide strike may be jolted. Organised labour and other professional bodies have scheduled tomorrow, Thursday, October 10, 2024 to commence a nationwide strike to compel government to declare a state of emergency on the galamsey menace.
In their dilemma, the group has in the eleventh hour to the strike resorted to blame game, suspecting dissenting views as having been compromised.
To begin with, the lukewarm actions by some notable professional bodies whose voices could be amplified louder from the onset, but refusing to be heard, is a major concern.
As this paper penetrates the very oxygen tanks of organised labour, one thing remains clear, and has to do with the fate of the leaders, if the intended strike action fails to come on.
Again, if they do not call off the strike but fail to gather the intended momentum, it is the heads of the labour front that will roll, hence in a dilemma as to what to present to Ghanaians to redeem their credibility.
Meanwhile, Members of the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana have declared their intention to demonstrate against the decision of organised labour to embark on a nationwide demonstration.
According to them, while they acknowledge that some illegal miners have caused significant damage to water bodies in the country organised labour’s stance is not the solution to the long-standing problem.
Instead, the group is calling for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of illegal mining in the country.
In a statement signed by Mark Conduah, General Secretary of the group, indicated that the demonstration aims to draw the public’s attention to the fact that small-scale mining is legal in Ghana, per the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703, and that the wrongs of a recalcitrant few should not be used to ban all other small-scale mining firms engaged in responsible mining.
The demonstration is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024 and will be held through the principal streets of Accra.
The group is also urging organised labour to desist from demonising their trade and is calling on the workers to support the various stakeholders in devising workable solutions to mitigate the threats associated with illegal mining.
Meanwhile, some workers’ unions have declared their intention not to join organised labour in the planned strike.
In a statement signed by Dr. (Med) Frank Serebour, President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the GMA has not declared a roadmap for industrial action, calling on its members to continue providing full services without interruptions.
