Ghana Federation Of Labour Demands Immediate Resignation Of Lands Minister

• The Ghana Federation of Labour said Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, is unfit for his role
• Their statement followed the minister's remark that calling for the declaration of a state of emergency would be draconian
• The GFL said the minister clearly did not understand the situation Ghana found itself in and should be shown the door

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has demanded Samuel Abu Jinapor's immediate resignation as Lands and Natural Resources Minister.

Their demand follows the minister’s remarks about calls for declaring a state of emergency to address the illegal mining situation in the country.

At a media engagement in Accra on September 11, 2024, the minister stated that a state of emergency would be a draconian measure to address the illegal mining menace and warned that it could have dire consequences for the country.

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“Very draconian measure”: Lands minister downplays need for galamsey state of emergency

However, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour said the minister’s remark reflected a lack of understanding of the grave situation the nation is facing as a result of galamsey.

Kenneth Koomson was dissatisfied with the minister's attempt to downplay the devastation caused by the illegal mining menace.

In an interview with Citi FM, Koomson questioned the minister’s ability to manage the galamsey problem effectively.

He said the minister’s downplaying of the issue was 'pathetic and smacks of a deliberate act to destroy the very water bodies that protect and give us life'.

He said the minister’s remark was unfortunate and demanded he immediately resign, as he was clearly unfit to hold his position with such a mindset.

“For us to have 2.5 million hectares of our forest reserve decimated by the activities of galamsey means a whole country is wiped by the activities of a few evil men,” he said.

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“Crisis proportion”: Organised Labour threatens to shutdown country over galamsey

Lands Minister on galamsey

The Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, also gave assurances that the fight against galamsey was one of the government’s top priorities.

“Declaring a state of emergency, that is in the bosom of the president, but I find that being far-reaching, [being] a very draconian measure to take."

Amid renewed concern about the impact of illegal mining, Jinapor said the government would engage labour unions and civil society organisations to determine how best to address the galamsey menace.

Organised labour has threatened a nationwide strike by the end of September if the government does not take decisive action against illegal mining.

The Trades Union Congress wants a state of emergency in all areas affected by illegal mining.

NAPO promises to return seized excavators

YEN.com.gh also reported that the New Patriotic Party's running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has assured small-scale miners if his party wins, their seized excavators will be returned.

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NAPO says anybody who foments trouble in the upcoming elections will not be spared

He said the party was committed to ensuring that small-scale miners maintained their livelihoods to support their families and said a future NPP government would regulate the mining industry.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh