Global site navigation

Organised Labour Suspends Nationwide Strike Meant To Protest Galamsey
Ghana

Organised Labour Suspends Nationwide Strike Meant To Protest Galamsey

by  Delali Adogla-Bessa 2 min read
  • Organised labour has suspended nationwide strike to force the government to take action on illegal mining
  • The decision to suspend the strike was made during an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024
  • The unions wanted to observe the government’s implementation of measures to call off the strike

PAY ATTENTION: NOW You can COMMENT on our articles on the YEN website! Learn how to get started.

Organised labour has suspended its nationwide strike to protest government inaction on illegal mining.

The strike was slated for Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Organised Labour Suspends Nationwide Strike
Organised labour has made a U-turn on its threat to strike over illegal mining.
Source: Getty Images

The decision to suspend the strike was made during an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

The union leaders assessed the situation and agreed to call off the industrial action.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

In a media briefing, Joshua Ansah, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, explained that the unions wanted to observe the government’s implementation of measures to call off the strike.

Read also

“Galamsey yɛbɛyɛ”: Illegal miners in Amenfi East storm assembly office in protest of anti-galamsey strike

Among other things, President Nana Akufo-Addo directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military personnel to strengthen “Operation Halt,” the government’s initiative aimed at curbing illegal mining.

The unions had threatened the strike if the government did not take action to combat illegal mining.

Organised Labour wanted to compel the government to declare a state of emergency and ramp up efforts to address the environmental devastation caused by galamsey.

Hesitation from unions

Some unions had backed away from the strike even before the official suspension.

The Ghana Medical Association, for example, withdrew from the anti-galamsey strike.

Some dissenters within organised labour opposed the union's decision to embark on an industrial action.

Some felt the call for a nationwide strike was politically motivated. These members even threatened to sue over the planned strike.

Amenfi East illegal miners storm assembly office

YEN.com.gh reported that some illegal miners in Amenfi East stormed their assembly office in protest of the anti-galamsey strike by organised labour.

Read also

Organised Labour dissenters threaten to sue over union's 'unlawful' galamsey strike

Videos showed scores of miners at the assembly office vowing not to stop illegal mining.

Daily Guide reported that assembly staff, part of organised labour, were barred from working due to threats against the government.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.

Hot: