GMA Withdraws From Organised Labour's October 10 Nationwide Strike Against Galamsey

• The Ghana Medical Association has announced that it would withdraw from Organised Labour's strike against galamsey
• The association said it had no roadmap for industrial action on October 10, although it was in solidarity with the strike
• The GMA further urged all its members not to embark on the strike action and said members must work without interruption

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) will no longer participate in the nationwide strike against galamsey on Thursday (October 10, 2024).

The GMA stated that while it supported Organised Labour's decision to fight illegal small-scale mining, its members would not join the strike.

In a press statement issued on October 8, 2024, the GMA clarified that it had not laid a roadmap for industrial action.

Therefore, all members would be expected to continue providing medical services during the nationwide strike.

Read also

Catholics to embark on prayer protest walk against galamsey today, October 11

The statement, signed by GMA president Dr Frank Serebour, expressed solidarity with the general concerns about the galamsey menace in the country and the devastation of its natural resources.

According to the statement, the association's National Executive Council (NEC) would provide members with further updates as they arose.

Organised labour to strike against galamsey

Organised Labour declared a nationwide strike on October 10, 2024, stating the government had failed to meet its demands to take action against galamsey.

After an emergency meeting on October 1, 2024, Organised Labour expressed frustration with what it perceived as the government’s inaction on illegal mining.

Organised Labour had previously set a deadline of September this year for the government to take decisive measures against all illegal mining activities.

However, the government has yet to give organised labour a favourable response to their demands to end the galamsey scourge.

Read also

UTAG accuses Organised Labour's leadership of taking unilateral decision to suspend strike

President Nana Akufo-Addo has set up a five-member ad hoc ministerial committee to oversee the fight against illegal mining.

Despite this, Organised Labour has urged workers to stay home until the government meets its demands to take sterner action.

GMA members petition to remove president

YEN.com.gh also reported that it appears not every member of the Ghana Medical Association is pleased with the decision to withdraw.

A member of the GMA, Dr Vishnu Nene Limon Abayateye, has reportedly filed a petition demanding that the president be impeached.

The petitioner argued that the president's directive for members to work during the Organised Labour strike did not follow due process.

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

Source: YEN.com.gh