Small-Scale Miners urge Organised Labour to reconsider October 10 strike

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has urged Organised Labour to rethink its planned nationwide strike scheduled for October 10.

Organised Labour’s decision to strike stems from the government’s failure to address their demands, which include a total ban on small-scale mining and a declaration of a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

In light of these tensions, the Presidency invited the leadership of Organised Labour to discussions regarding the impending strike.

At a press conference on October 3 in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, GNASSM raised concerns that the strike could exacerbate the nation’s already fragile economy. The Association called on stakeholders to pursue alternative solutions to the galamsey issue, emphasizing that strike actions could lead to significant economic consequences.

“We will plead with the Organized Labour to reconsider their decision to embark on a nationwide strike which will affect our already fragile economy but rather lead in the discussion and finding lasting and sustainable solutions to the illegal mining that will not be political.”

The Association stressed that tackling the galamsey menace requires a collaborative, bipartisan approach, bringing together stakeholders from across the political spectrum.

“There should be a bipartisan approach in dealing with the illegal mining menace. Those who are politicking with the issue for their selfish gain should know that it is not the solution issue but rather a path to our destruction as a people, because if we don’t have water, there is no life.”

GNASSM called on the government to as a matter of urgency deploy personnel to curb ongoing pollution at the various water bodies.

“We are calling on the government as a matter of urgency to deploy personnel to the water bodies to curb the ongoing pollution and GNASSM will support in whatever form or shape.

“Government should reconsider permitting entities to work in the forest reserves. If the companies are not working in accordance with the condition of their permit requirement, then it should be revoked.”

Read full press statement below:

Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners

Venue: Miklin Hotel, Kumasi

PRESS CONFERENCE

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners have noticed how some sections of the media and some groups of Ghanaians are twisting the Press Statement by the Organized Labor which was released on the 1st of October 2024. The statement did not say anything about banning all forms of small-scale mining but rather the inaction of the government in dealing with the illegal mining activities (galamsey) hence their intended strike from 10 October 2024.

We the small-scale miners share in the concern raised by the various CSOs, Labour Unions, Religious Bodies and Ghanaians as a whole on the pollution and destruction of our forest reserves.

The association is proposing and taking the following steps to support the Government in dealing with the issue,

We are calling the government as a matter of urgency to deploy personnel to the water bodies to curb the ongoing pollution and GNASSM will support in whatever form or shape.

The government should reconsider permitting entities to work in the forest reserves. If the companies are not working in accordance with the condition of their permit requirement, then it should be revoked

GNASSM will deploy its task force to the water bodies to arrest these illegal miners polluting our water bodies, mining close to highways and all the fabricators of the dredgers
Illegal mining (galamsey) is an illegality and there are sanctions prescribed under the Minerals and Mining Acts 2006 (703) as amended by Acts 995. Government should through its agencies enforce the laws.

We will plead with the Organized Labour to reconsider their decision to embark on a national wide strike which will affect our already fragile economy but rather lead in discussion and finding lasting and sustainable solutions to the illegal mining that will not be politically lead but technical and professionally lead,

There should be a bipartisan approach in dealing with the illegal mining menace. Those who are politicking with the issue for their own selfish gain should know that it is not the solution issue but rather a path to our destruction as a people because when we if don’t have water there is no life.

Once again, we know the importance of the small-scale mining sector which contributes over 8.4 per cent to GDP and 40 per cent of our merchandised export. It also provides job opportunities to many and an estimated 1 million directly and indirectly 4 million people depend on the sector. The supply of raw gold for value addition by our local jewellers and downstream job opportunities.

 

By Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante

The post Small-Scale Miners urge Organised Labour to reconsider October 10 strike first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story