The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC-Ghana has directed its members to begin a nationwide strike on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in response to the government’s failure to address the growing concerns about illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
This decision follows the inability of the government to meet the demands laid out by Organised Labour regarding the fight against the environmental and social devastation caused by illegal mining activities.
GAWU’s leadership made the announcement on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, issuing a statement that underscored the union’s frustration with the government’s handling of the galamsey crisis. According to GAWU, their decision to strike is a direct result of the unsatisfactory outcome of a high-level meeting between Organised Labour and President Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday, October 3, 2024. The meeting was convened in an effort to find common ground, but it failed to yield any tangible commitments from the government to declare a state of emergency or take the drastic measures needed to effectively combat galamsey.
GAWU emphasized that the meeting with the president did little to change the stance of Organised Labour, further strengthening their resolve to join the strike. The union, which represents a significant portion of the country’s agricultural workers, is now throwing its full weight behind the broader push by Organised Labour to pressure the government into declaring a state of emergency, which they believe is the only way to decisively tackle the galamsey menace.
In the statement, GAWU expressed its disappointment in the government’s handling of the situation, noting that the environmental damage caused by illegal mining has far-reaching consequences not only for the agricultural sector but for the country’s economy and its citizens’ well-being. The pollution of water bodies, destruction of arable land, and loss of biodiversity are some of the direct impacts of galamsey that have caused grave concern within the union. GAWU believes that a state of emergency would provide the legal framework necessary for the government to deploy the resources and measures required to end the illegal mining activities that continue to ravage the country.
As part of the strike, GAWU has directed all its members to stay off work from Thursday, October 10, 2024, until the government takes meaningful action to address their demands. The strike is expected to have a widespread impact across various sectors, particularly in agriculture, where GAWU’s members play a vital role. From cocoa farmers to food crop producers, the effects of the strike will likely ripple through the economy, potentially disrupting food supply chains and agricultural exports if the government does not act swiftly.
In their statement, GAWU called on the management of various agricultural companies and organizations to support their cause and respect the decision of workers to stay off work. The union made it clear that they would not return to work until the government accedes to their demands and takes concrete steps to resolve the galamsey issue. “We therefore call on management to support this course as all workers are directed to stay off work with effect from Thursday, 10th October 2024, until the government accedes to our demands,” the statement read.
GAWU’s strike action adds to the mounting pressure on the government as more groups join the call for an urgent and comprehensive solution to the galamsey crisis. Organised Labour has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s response to illegal mining, arguing that previous efforts to curb the practice have been ineffective and insufficient. They have called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, stricter penalties for illegal miners, and better coordination between government agencies to protect the country’s natural resources from further degradation.
As the strike date approaches, the government faces growing unrest from various sectors, with many unions and civil society groups rallying behind the call to end galamsey. The declaration of a state of emergency, which has been central to Organised Labour’s demands, would signal a significant shift in the government’s approach to the issue. However, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed the calls for such drastic action, especially given the political and economic implications of shutting down portions of the small-scale mining industry, which provides livelihoods for many Ghanaians.
The planned strike by GAWU and other bodies involved in Organised Labour’s actions represents a critical moment in the ongoing fight against illegal mining in Ghana. With environmental, economic, and social concerns at the forefront, the outcome of this strike could shape the future of mining regulation in the country. For now, GAWU remains firm in its stance, urging its members to stand united in their fight to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure a more sustainable future for the country’s agriculture and other industries affected by galamsey.
