In the lead-up to a highly anticipated nationwide strike scheduled for October 10, 2024, the organised labour front in Ghana was poised to take a firm stand against the scourge of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Galamsey, which has decimated the country’s water bodies, destroyed vast swaths of arable land, and endangered the livelihoods of many rural communities, had become a key point of contention between civil society and the government.
Organised Labour, reflecting the anger and frustrations of the public, was set to engage in collective action that would demand an immediate halt to these illegal activities.
However, in a troubling turn of events, the labour front was infiltrated and destabilized, leading to the abandonment of the intended strike.
Below is a detailed account of how internal dissent and external manipulation combined to derail what could have been a defining moment in the fight against galamsey.
1. Leadership Compromise and Premeditated Action
On the eve of the meeting with government officials to discuss new proposals, two key figures in the labour leadership, Joshua Ansah and Dr. Bampoe, arrived with a prepared speech calling for the suspension of the strike.
This premeditated move to backtrack on the collective decision of organized labour was a clear indication that the leadership had been compromised.
By bringing an already prepared speech that called for an end to the strike before hearing any new proposals, Ansah and Bampoe set the stage for what would unfold as a betrayal of the labour front’s mandate.
Their actions raised serious questions about the propriety of their leadership. The expectation was that any decisions made during such a high-stakes negotiation should come from a place of consensus and collective agreement.
Instead, these two leaders took it upon themselves to predetermine the outcome, undermining the integrity of the meeting. Though they apologized when challenged, it was evident that their intent had already been compromised.
2. Government’s Lackluster Proposals and Labour’s Initial Resistance
During the meeting, government representatives presented supposed new interventions to address illegal mining.
However, upon scrutiny, it became clear that these proposals were not substantively different from those discussed and rejected by organized labour in their earlier meeting on October 7, 2024.
The labour front had made it clear that without concrete and enforceable measures, any government intervention would be mere lip service to the issue of galamsey.
Labour leaders in attendance argued that at the very least, the government should impose a temporary moratorium on mining activities to allow for a meaningful discussion of practical solutions. This request was reasonable, given the widespread environmental and social damage
caused by galamsey, yet it was dismissed by the leadership. Organized Labour’s resistance to the government’s recycled proposals signified their frustration with the lack of genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of illegal mining.
3. Manipulation and Media Ambush
What followed was a calculated attempt by the leadership of organized labour to stifle further discussion. Before other members of the labour front could make additional suggestions or push for stronger action, the leadership abruptly ended the internal deliberations and called in the media.
Ansah and Dr. Bampoe proceeded to read their pre-prepared speech, announcing the suspension of the strike. This media ambush was a blatant move to solidify the leadership’s stance and bypass the democratic process of consultation within the labour movement.
The sudden introduction of the media, without consensus from all labour representatives, was not only manipulative but also deeply divisive.
It created an atmosphere of distrust, where labour members felt their voices were being marginalized in favour of political expediency. The meeting, which had the potential to unite labour and strengthen their resolve against galamsey, instead ended in rancour, acrimony, and disunity.
4. Disunity and Fragmentation of the Labour Front
The fallout from this meeting was immediate. Organized labour, which had previously presented a united front in the fight against galamsey, was now splintered. The acrimonious end to the meeting revealed deep divisions within the leadership.
Key factions, particularly those in favour of continuing the strike, felt betrayed by the actions of their leaders, who had unilaterally decided to suspend the strike without proper consultation.
The infiltration and destabilization of the labour front were now apparent. The strike, which had garnered widespread support from various sectors of the economy, was effectively sabotaged from within.
The leadership’s actions not only undermined the credibility of organized labour but also demoralized the rank and file members who had been gearing up for nationwide action.
5. UTAG’s Response and the Broader Implications
In the wake of this betrayal, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) convened an emergency meeting.
Ransford Gyampo, President of the UG-UTAG, expressed the deep frustration felt by many within the labour movement.
He highlighted the overwhelming support for the fight against illegal mining, particularly from public universities across the country, and reaffirmed UTAG’s commitment to being the “conscience of the nation” in this critical battle.
Gyampo’s remarks reflected the broader sense of betrayal felt by organized labour. The refusal of the leadership to heed the demands of its members, coupled with their willingness to compromise with the government, had weakened the movement. However, UTAG’s
determination to continue the fight signalled that not all was lost. They were prepared to stand alone if necessary, representing the moral voice in a fight that had become not just a labour issue, but an existential one for the country.
6. Conclusion: The Need for Vigilance and Reform
The infiltration and destabilization of the organized labour front in the run-up to the intended nationwide strike against galamsey is a cautionary tale about the fragility of leadership in the face of political and economic pressure.
The actions of Ansah and Dr. Bampoe, whether motivated by external influence or internal compromise, demonstrate how easily a movement can be derailed when leadership is not held accountable to its members.
This incident calls for greater vigilance within the labour movement. Organized labour must take immediate steps to rebuild trust among its members, ensure transparency in decision-making, and hold leaders accountable for actions that undermine the collective good.
Furthermore, labour must remain steadfast in its fight against galamsey, recognizing that this is not just a battle for environmental justice but a fight for the soul of the nation.
As UTAG’s NEC deliberates and prepares for its next steps, the message is clear: the fight against illegal mining cannot be compromised, and the labour movement must be the vanguard of this struggle.
The lesson from this episode is simple: infiltration and destabilization can only succeed when the movement is divided. To resist external pressure, the labour front must remain united, focused, and unwavering in its pursuit of justice.
The author, Michael Kwasi Ackumey is Consultant, Africa Development Council.
Email: ackumey45@gmail.com