Trade Union Congress, the mother of all labour union in Ghana has added to the pressure being piled on President Akufo-Addo to ban both legal and illegal small scale mining to save the nation from the wreckage of government backed environmental terrorists.
The leadership of Organised Labour is threatening to stage nationwide strike if government fails to ban all forms of small scale mining activities by September 30.
The latest threaten comes as a support to earlier ones issued by civil society groups (CSOs), members of Organized Labour like the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Health Sector Associations and Unions, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Catholic Bishops Conference, Occupy Ghana who have all called for an immediate ban or they strike by the end of this month.
At a news conference yesterday Wednesday September 11 in Accra, they vowed not to back down on their demands until the President bans all mining activities.
In a statement after a crunch meeting, Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the TUC, vowed not to bow down until their demands including a complete ban on small scale mining in forests and water bodies across the Ashanti, Eastern, Central and Western Regions are met.
They also demanded the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in all areas affected by illegal mining.
Organized Labour also called for the establishment of special courts to fast-track the prosecution of galamsey operators, and the deployment of the men of the Ghana Armed Force (GAF) to remove and destroy all mining equipment in affected areas.
It also wants revocation of LI2462 and withdrawal of all prospecting and mining licenses issued for activities in forest and protected reserves, as well as near water bodies. The establishment of a special court to prosecute those responsible for illegal mining activities.
Organized Labour expressed deep concern over the growing public discourse on the issue, noting the destruction of forest cover, water bodies, and agricultural lands.
They also highlighted the severe health risks posed to communities near galamsey sites, including exposure to hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, and the increase in respiratory and waterborne diseases.
The statement underscored the rapid depletion of Ghana’s forest cover and the unprecedented pollution of its water bodies, citing the recent concerns of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) leading reduction in their production of water by 30 percent. The GWCL has been unable to provide adequate water supply to towns such as Cape Coast and Elmina due to the severe contamination of the River Pra.
Joshua Ansah stressed that the government’s failure to act swiftly and decisively on the galamsey menace has resulted in severe environmental degradation, including the destruction of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves.
Meanwhile, while Organized Labour forcefully made their demands known to the government through the press conference, the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, was calling on the government to act swiftly to address the menace.
During a press conference at the Press Cnetre in Accra, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, highlighted the urgent need for action.
He expressed deep concern over the involvement of some chiefs and political figures in these illegal activities, highlighting the corruption that exacerbates the problem.
“The lack of political will has further exacerbated the problem allowing illegal mining to thrive unchecked.
“We wish to state that Ghanaians can no longer tolerate the lip service of the government of whatever colour in the fight against galamsey and we call for action not tomorrow but now and right from this press conference and all hands must get on board,” he stated.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said in the mining communities, law and order are crumbling under the weight of impunity with associated human rights abuses.
He explained that illegal mining in Ghana, known as “galamsey,” has caused severe environmental devastation, leading to the shutdown of water treatment facilities. Communities near the Densu River, a vital source of water for Accra, are suffering due to the pollution of rivers once critical for survival.
He highlighted that, environmental destruction extends to forest reserves such as the Atiwa Forest, where illegal miners are tearing apart ecosystems without fear or favour.
Communities like Osino and Konongo have been particularly affected, with lives lost due to unsafe mining practices. “A pregnant woman died in 2023, and another man lost his life in 2024 in mining-related accidents”.
He pointed out that, to environmental damage, vital infrastructure in regions like Ayinam, Enchi, and parts of the Western Region is at risk of collapse.
The situation has escalated to the point where armed illegal miners recently chased away a government enforcement team, highlighting the undermining of national security and the increasing boldness of illegal miners.
He underscored that cocoa farms, a crucial part of Ghana’s economy, are also being destroyed in regions like Sendu and Jirabanso. The polluted rivers and poisoned farmlands are slowly exposing the population to severe health risks, including heavy metal contamination, which could lead to brain, kidney, and reproductive issues.
They are calling on the government to declare a state of emergency, halt mining activities within river buffers, and cancel all mining permits in protected forest areas. These groups are also urging presidential candidates to support the fight against illegal mining to prevent further environmental and human loss.
In a related development, the Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, has rubbished the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor so called measures to deal with the illegal mining activities.
According to Dr Ashigbey, the Minister does not fully grasp the severity of illegal mining activities on water bodies and human life as a whole.
His comments come in response to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources reiterating the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and legal mining practices in Ghana.
Mr Jinapor among other things, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining, or “galamsey,” which have been intensified under the current administration.
Key initiatives include the deployment of anti-galamsey task forces, stricter monitoring of mining sites, and enhanced enforcement of mining regulations. These measures are intended to clamp down on illegal operations while fostering sustainable practices in the sector.
He also mentioned that a meeting has been called with regional ministers to find lasting solutions.
However, Dr Ashigbey argues that the Mr Jinapor’s response to the menace proves that he does not fully understand the severity of the issue on human life.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, he said there was nothing new and useful in the minister’s release to ending the menace.
“You see that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources does not get it. What is new amongst the things that he said? All these things that you are doing, you have been doing it and turbidity of water is at 14,000 NTU and you say regional minister?” he quizzed.
Mr Ashigbey said regional ministers drive past and see the illegality, but they do not have the capacity to handle the canker.
He stressed that the actions mentioned “do not satisfy what we are asking for. It just shows that they don’t realize we are in a crisis. It tells you that they don’t see the enormity of the challenges we are facing.”