On Tuesday, October 12024Organised Labour declared a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024. This followed the failure of government to address our demands to halt illegal mining in and around river bodies and forest reserves as outlined in our press statement of October 11, 2024.
Subsequently, the President of the RepublicNana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo met with the leadership of Organised Labour on October 3, 2024. At that meeting Government offered series of measures it intended to implement as part of efforts to combat the menace of illegal mining in the country.
At a meeting of Organised Labour on October 7, 2024, the meeting resolved that the measures announced by government were not adequate in addressing our demands and stopping the dangers posed by illegal mining. We, therefore, affirmed the strike notice and informed the Government accordingly
Yesterday, October 8, 2024, the Government team met with the Leadership of Organised Labour and Ghana Employers' Association (GEA)The meeting discussed at length Organised Labours' response to the earlier measures announced by Government. Following this meeting Government offered enhanced and time-bound measures in respect of our demands and the fight against illegal mining. These measures include:
1. The revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.1.2462). The President has directed the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources to submit a Memorandum for the revocation of the L.I. to Parliament when it reconvenes on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
2. The redeployment of the military and other law enforcement agencies to flush out illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves. The military is now supporting the Forest Guards of the Forest Commission to protect the forest reserves from destruction by illegal miners and loggers.
3. Government working with the Judiciary has already established fourteen (14) dedicated courts-7 high courts and 7 circuit courts - to handle illegal mining cases.
4. Collaborating with Organised Labour and other stakeholders to fight illegal mining. Government has asked Orvanized Lahour to nominate representatives to be part of the stakeholders committee to fight illegal mining in the country.
5. Government supports the call by Organised Labour for all Presidential Candidates to sign a pact committing to the fight against illegal mining.
6. Government affirmed its commitment to engage with stakeholders including Organised Labour and the Ghana Employers' Association to bring an end to illegal mining in Ghana.
These are significant concessions that Organised Labours' demands and threats have forced government to make towards combating illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
We have therefore, decided to suspend the intended strike action. We are calling on all workers to report for work on October 10, 2024, and beyond. Organised Labour will keenly monitor the implementation of these measures. Government will hear from us if it fails to do the needful.
Thank you for your attention.
