A group calling itself Responsible Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has announced plans to embark on a demonstration on Thursday, October 10, 2024, against Organised Labour.
The President, Philip Bawah disclosed this in an interview with Adom News.
This comes in response to recent appeals from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and other groups urging the government to halt mining activities as part of the fight against illegal mining.
Mr Bawah said the Association acknowledges that some illegal miners have caused significant damage to our water bodies.
However, they believe that Organised Labour’s stance is not the solution to this century-long problem.
Mr Bawah reiterated that, what Ghana needs is a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of illegal mining.
He pointed out that numerous individuals, ranging from students and parents to drivers—benefit from the livelihoods that legal mining provides.
Mr Bawah made it clear that while his association is committed to combating illegal mining, he believes that the solution lies in constructive dialogue rather than drastic measures.
“We do not oppose the fight against illegal mining, but we need to engage in a roundtable discussion to find a balanced solution. The approaches proposed by Organized Labour are not conducive to progress,” he said.
He also called on all legal miners to join the demonstration to reinforce the unity of their cause.
“We need to stand together to protect our rights and the livelihoods of our members. If Organized Labour chooses to call off their strike, we will gladly follow suit,” Bawah stated.
He believes Organized Labour’s recent actions are politically motivated, potentially driven by interests that do not align with the welfare of small-scale miners.
