Organised Labour, led by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has issued a stern warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September if decisive action is not taken to address the escalating galamsey (illegal mining) crisis. In a statement issued by Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the TUC, Organised Labour demanded the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in all areas affected by illegal mining. The group also called for a halt to all mining activities in forest reserves, the establishment of special courts to fast-track the prosecution of galamsey operators, and the deployment of the military to remove and destroy all mining equipment in affected areas. Ansah stressed that the government’s failure to act swiftly and decisively on the galamsey menace has resulted in severe environmental degradation, including the destruction of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves. The statement added that if no concrete measures are taken by the end of September, Organised Labour will have no choice but to embark on a series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike to force the government’s hand.
Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the TUC
This call by Organised Labour adds to the growing pressure on the government to take immediate and effective action against illegal mining, which continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s natural resources and communities.
Enough of the lip service, act now
Meanwhile, the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining has called on the government to act swiftly to address the ongoing illegal mining crisis, which has severely affected rivers and farmlands across the country. During a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, echoed the urgent need for action. He expressed deep concern over the involvement of some chiefs and political figures in these illegal activities, highlighting the corruption that exacerbates the problem. “The lack of political will has further exacerbated the problem allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked.” “We wish to state that Ghanaians can no longer tolerate the lip service of the government of whatever colour in the fight against galamsey and we call for action not tomorrow but now and right from this press conference and all hands must get on board,” he stated.
Declare state of emergency before it’s late
The Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS) is also adding to the growing calls for a ban on small-scale mining both legal and illegal activities. In a statement, the CCCFS projects that the country is heading for an “ecological catastrophe” with dire consequential threats to socioeconomic well-being. “At this rate, Ghana is likely going to be inhabitable for humans in the next few years - since all the basic essentials for sustaining human life is being destroyed by galamsey,” the statement read. There are been reports of baby deformities, forest losses, soil and water bodies with heavy metal contaminations owing to the mining activities. Despite the situation aggravating over the years, the CCCFS believes the situation could be salvaged from exacerbating. They want immediate and decisive measures devoid of partisan politics to halt the environmental crisis. “Even though the problem has drenched deep, we can still salvage the situation if immediate and decisive steps, influenced solely by an ultimate national, rather partisan political interest, are taken to stop the monstrosity. The statement continued;” It is unspeakable to think that the State, with its enormous powers, cannot stop this dangerous phenomenon that threatens the very existence of Ghana as a viable nation-state”. The centre is admonishing the youth not to cite unemployment as a reason for their involvement in the act that harms the environment but rather find decent alternative income streams. “Also, it's important to caution the youth, and those involved in galamsey, who use unemployment as a pretext to engage in it, to note that the very things they are destroying for gold are irreplaceable. No amount of earnings can replace water, soil, air, food, etc. We implore the youth to turn to other ventures that are more sustainable for income, and desist from engaging in galamsey - which is nothing but a ticking time bomb,” the statement read. They also prevailing on the traditional leaders to intensify efforts against the illegal miners including confiscation of lands and mining equipment.
The centre is demanding that the government declares a state of emergency and fight the menace vehemently with stricter law enforcement. “In short, there must be a conscious class action, civil disobedience, positive defiance, amongst other legitimate means to combat the canker. We call on government to declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY immediately and approach the issue with an iron fist of the law. "Anymore dillydallying will exacerbate the already dire situation, and fast track our irreversible acceleration to doom,” the statement added.