The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) has reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the scheduled strike action on October 10 if the government does not declare a state of emergency on Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
TUC Vice Chairman, Ken Tweneboah Koduah, confirmed the decision in an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 5, stating that the strike remains on track despite ongoing discussions with government.
According to him, TUC has already begun engaging its members and employers in preparation for the strike.
The October 10 strike aims to compel the government to take urgent action to protect Ghana’s natural resources from the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
“Nothing has changed from the last publication. I can assure you that our strike is on course… we stand very firm and unshaken on this,” he said.
While the TUC is set to meet with President Akufo-Addo on Monday, Mr. Koduah emphasised that the union is prepared to reconsider its strike only if the government addresses its demands.
“As it stands today, there is no official response to us. We are meeting on Monday to consider what will come from the President, and the whole world will know what it is. We are not doing this for ourselves—that I can assure you.”
The union has called on the government to ban all forms of mining activities in forest reserves across the country, but so far, the government has not acted on this request.
At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, October 1, organised labour expressed frustration with the government’s inaction, especially after setting a September deadline for decisive measures to be taken against illegal mining (Galamsey), which they argue is destroying the environment and the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.
As a result, the group declared a nationwide strike effective October 10 in protest against galamsey, warning that the economic consequences could be severe.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has met with Organised Labour to negotiate on the issue of strike.
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