A former General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Professor Titus Beyuo, has expressed concern about the Association’s decision not to participate in the nationwide strike planned by Organised Labour to demand urgent against illegal mining.
Speaking on the Joy News AM Show on Wednesday, October 9, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Lambussie-Karni in the Upper West, stated that the decision-making process within the GMA is disturbing and seems irregular.
He explained that, based on his experience, such decisions are typically made during in-person or virtual council meetings, rather than through individual phone calls to council members, as was reportedly done in this instance.
“The way through which the decision was made by the president and council is disturbing, it looks irregular,” he said.
The GMA announced in a press release on October 8 that it would not participate in the planned nationwide strike by organised labour.
However, the Association affirmed its solidarity with organised labour in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, or “galamsey.”
The statement, signed by GMA President Dr Frank Serebour, urged members to continue providing full medical services without interruption.
In light of this, Prof Beyuo questioned this stance, noting that the GMA had previously dedicated a section of its annual general conference to addressing the devastating health impacts of galamsey.
He pointed out that the issue of illegal mining is a primary concern for the GMA given its direct link to public health, and thus described the withdrawal from the strike as “disturbing.”
“The decision seems to conflict with the initial position of the association,” stating that if anyone should be more concerned about the health impact of galamsey, it should be the GMA.
Commenting on the potential loss of lives during a strike for which reason the GMA opted out, Prof Beyuo acknowledged that this could be a valid concern.
However, he noted that in the past, the GMA had adopted more targeted approaches in such circumstances.
“In the past, what the association has done is take cognisance of the fact that we are essential service providers. In solidarity with the rest of labour, for instance, do a target approach.
“They could express their solidarity to labour, decide that doctors should wear red armbands across the nation, could decide that if nothing happens at some point, they will withdraw some non-essential services but to completely say you will not be part of it, it sounds irregular,” he said.
Prof Beyuo added that the purpose of the strike was to pile pressure on the government to take more decisive action in the fight against galamsey.
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