Organized Labour’s Strike Politically Motivated – Small-Scale Miners

Members of the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana have declared their intention to demonstrate against the decision of organized 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, organized 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, 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 organized labour to desist from demonizing their trade and is calling on the workers to support 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 organized 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.

Relatedly, some miners in the Amenfi East district locked up the offices of the district assembly on Tuesday, October 10, 2024, in protest against organized labour’s intention to embark on a nationwide strike. The miners implored the staff of the assembly to dissociate themselves from organized labour’s nationwide plan.