Galamsey Ban Ultimatum: Organised Labour to Meet Tomorrow if Gov’t Keeps Mute
Organised labour will meet on Tuesday to figure out the way forward if the government fails to act on their demands in dealing with illegal mining activities in the country.
It comes as the ultimatum set for the government to take seven decisive actions towards ridding the country of galamsey ends today, September 30, 2024.
The groups of workers in the country met with a five-member ad hoc committee set up by the President to look into the heightened illegal mining activities; however, no favourable outcome was birthed.
In an interview, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Thomas Musah Tanko revealed, “From our meeting with the committee, nothing changed except that two items were added. This time around, all the political parties vying in the general election will make a commitment to the fight against galamsey.”
He revealed the labour groups will convene a meeting on October 1 to determine their next line of action.
“30th September is a long day and we believe things can still change. If nothing happens certainly organized labour will meet to discuss the way forward,” he said on News 360 monitored by opemsuo.com.
Organised labour has among other things demanded the declaration of a state of emergency; the revocation of the LI 2462 that mandates the mining in forest reserves; the removal of seized machinery from forest reserves; establishment of special courts to try those engaging in illegal mining; and giving the police and the military free hand to operate.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
