The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has expressed concerns about the recent call for a nationwide strike against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. His comments were in response to a report from the Daily Guide Network, which highlights increasing divisions within organized labour over the strike.
In a post on X, Mr. Ahiagbah questioned the motives behind the strike, pointing to an alleged GHC400,000 donation from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to organized labour.
He shared a link to the Daily Guide Network article, titled “Organised Labour Front Splits Over Galamsey Strike,” which outlines concerns from several union members over transparency and communication regarding the strike.
According to the Daily Guide Network report, key members of unions such as the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOSSAG) have questioned the handling of the strike. In a statement signed by union representatives Kwabena Adu Amankwa, Henry Ofosu Kwarteng, Mrs. Joyce Halm, and Victor Ametepor, they alleged that they were neither consulted nor informed about the strike. The members expressed frustration at the lack of formal communication, with no invitations to discussions or scheduled meetings with stakeholders on the matter.
The union members also pointed to the timing of a GHC400,000 donation from the NDC to organized labour, the first of its kind in seven years, which they suggest could be politically motivated. The statement suggests that the strike may have more to do with political interests than a genuine effort to address the galamsey crisis.
Building on these concerns, Mr. Ahiagbah’s post raised several pointed questions: “Is it true that the leadership of Organized Labor received a GHC400,000 donation from the NDC? If it is true, is Organized Labor raising funds for anything? If yes, have they approached other political parties for donations? If Organized Labor is not raising funds, what informed the NDC’s donation? How is the NDC’s donation related to Organized Labor’s sudden anti-galamsey advocacy and the subsequent declaration of a nationwide strike? Is it a mere coincidence, or is there more to it? I would vouch for Organized Labor, but that won’t be enough because it smells fishy…”
Ahiagbah’s post suggests that the strike’s legitimacy could be undermined by questions about the NDC’s donation and the lack of transparency within organized labour. The concerns raise doubts over whether the anti-galamsey movement is driven by genuine environmental concerns or is being used as a political tool ahead of the 2024 elections.
The Daily Guide Network report, authored by Daniel Bampoe, reports that the union divisions may weaken the credibility of the strike, as labour members question both the motives of their leaders and the timing of the NDC’s financial support.
