Organised Labour has reiterated plans to embark on a nationwide strike by the end of September if decisive measures are not taken to address the illegal mining crisis locally known as galamsey.

The Union had earlier demanded for the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in all areas affected by illegal mining.

However, following a meeting on September 17, 2024, with the ad-hoc inter-ministerial Committee set up by the President to engage stakeholders, additional demands have been made.

In a statement signed by the Secretary General, Joshua Ansah noted that given the dire nature of the threat we face, the union is also demanding the revocation of Forest (Cessation of Forest Reserve) (Amendment) Instrument, 2023 (Ε.Ι. 234) and all political parties to sign a pact on banning galamsey.

“While the Government team accepted these proposals from Organised Labour, it requested additional time to engage other stakeholders to enable it to develop a comprehensive roadmap towards addressing the galamsey menace.

“This would also enable the Government to respond to the specific demands of Organised Labour in a week,” the statement read.

The statement noted that the union remains resolute and their initial demands remain unchanged and timelines for action have not been varied.

Organised Labour has warned that if a favourable response is not received by the end of September 2024, Organised Labour’s intended actions would be rolled out.

“We continue to count on the support of our members and well-meaning Ghanaians and urge all to remain resolute in our quest to ensure our self-preservation and a complete cessation of galamsey in our country,” it added.

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Read the full statement below: