A group of concerned non-partisan members of Organized Labour have voiced strong opposition to the leadership’s proposed nationwide strike and demonstration aimed at pressuring the government to declare a state of emergency over the illegal mining crisis, also known as galamsey.
In a press statement released on October 3, 2024, the group accused the leadership of pursuing a politically motivated agenda, rather than addressing the genuine concerns of workers.
The concerned members argue that while the galamsey issue is serious and has caused significant damage to the environment and the economy, the approach being taken by the leadership of Organized Labour is misguided and divisive. They claim the leadership, many of whom they allege are aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), are exploiting the situation for political gain.
“We are not opposed to efforts to fight the galamsey menace, but we believe that these efforts must be genuine, non-partisan, and in the best interest of the nation,” the statement read. The group further criticized the NDC, pointing out that the illegal mining crisis worsened under their tenure from 2009 to 2016, and called it “hypocritical” for the party’s surrogates to now use galamsey as a political tool.
Lack of Consultation and Political Bias
One of the main grievances raised by the concerned members is the lack of consultation before the leadership announced plans for the strike and demonstration. They expressed disappointment that the leadership made such decisions without involving the broader membership of Organized Labour, accusing them of advancing political ambitions rather than the collective will of workers.
“We feel sidelined and believe that the leadership is taking undue advantage of their positions,” they said, warning that the planned strike could lead to unrest, especially with the country just two months away from the presidential and parliamentary elections. They cited the recent Democracy Hub protests, which were marred by disorder, as a reminder of the potential dangers such a move could pose to national stability.
Galamsey: A National Issue, Not a Political Tool
The group emphasized that the fight against galamsey should be treated as a national issue requiring a united front, not as a political weapon to undermine the government. They urged the leadership of Organized Labour to focus on the real challenges facing workers in Ghana, rather than politicizing the galamsey issue.
“The fight against galamsey should involve all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation,” the statement noted, urging the leadership to work with the government in a non-partisan manner to address the problem.
Call for Dialogue and Responsible Leadership
The concerned members made four key demands to the leadership of Organized Labour:
1. Suspend plans for the nationwide strike or demonstration and engage in constructive dialogue with the government.
2. Consult the broader membership to ensure that any decisions reflect the collective will of all members, not the political agenda of a few.
3. Stop politicizing national issues for political party gain, and focus on protecting workers’ interests.
4. Ensure transparency and accountability in all decision-making processes.
In their concluding remarks, the group urged the leadership to reconsider their current approach, stressing that galamsey is an issue that requires national unity, not division. They reaffirmed their support for a peaceful and responsible solution to the crisis.
The statement was signed by three leading members of the group: Dr. Sampson Anomah, Dr. Obeng Sarpong, and Dr. Solomon Forkuo, who called on Organized Labour leadership to champion the interests of workers and prioritize national unity in tackling the galamsey menace.
The internal disagreements within Organized Labour come at a crucial time, as Ghana prepares for its upcoming elections, with illegal mining remaining a contentious issue in the country’s political landscape.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
