In recent months, illegal mining (galamsey) has been at the center of national discourse in Ghana, with organized labour leading a determined effort to push for government action.
The issue escalated as various unions prepared for a nationwide strike, scheduled for October 10, 2024, aimed at pressuring the government to take decisive action against the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
However, just days before the protest, the strike was suspended following a meeting between government officials and organized labour, during which the government promised stronger measures to combat the menace.
The decision to suspend the strike has drawn mixed reactions from the public. In an interaction with RGG News, Maxwell Attipoe, a teacher, expressed opposition to the strike, fearing that it would disrupt essential services despite supporting the fight against illegal mining.
On the other hand, Joan Sekere, a banker, believed that the leadership of the unions was playing politics with the issue. She had eagerly anticipated the strike, hoping it would jolt the government into action.
Others voiced more nuanced opinions. A medical doctor, speaking anonymously, feared that if health workers joined the strike, lives could be lost due to a lack of emergency care.
Kwame Ntow, a media practitioner, expressed support for the strike but criticized the unions for what he saw as a lack of unity and transparency.
Elorm Nusetor, a driver, agreed with the strike’s intent but argued that the timing was wrong, though necessary to push the government into action.
The environmental damage caused by illegal mining has been catastrophic, and many argue that stronger, more immediate action is needed.
Although the government has pledged to revoke certain mining permits and tighten its regulatory framework, skepticism remains about its ability to enforce these promises. Organized labour’s demands, including a state of emergency to address galamsey, highlight the urgency felt across various sectors of society.
The suspension of the strike has, for now, quieted the calls for direct action, but the underlying frustrations persist. Whether the government’s latest commitments will result in meaningful progress remains to be seen, but the broader fight against galamsey is far from over.
