The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Mr. Abraham Koomson, has disagreed with its sister union, Trades Union Congress (TUC), over its call for President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to Mr. Koomson, the TUC’s demand is “misplaced,” arguing that such a declaration would not provide a sustainable solution to Ghana’s long-standing galamsey challenge.

His remarks come after the Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, criticised the government for failing to declare a state of emergency to protect the country’s rivers and water bodies from destruction caused by illegal mining activities.

Speaking on Ahotor FM’s show on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Mr. Koomson said the TUC was “overdoing things” with its demands and must adopt a more practical approach.

“Declaring a state of emergency is not the solution. Countries like China and South Africa, which are among the world’s leading gold producers, have never declared a state of emergency to tackle illegal mining,” he argued.

He explained that those countries depend on the strict enforcement of mining regulations — a model Ghana should emulate. Mr. Koomson urged the government to ensure the law operates effectively and impartially, holding all individuals involved in illegal mining accountable, regardless of political or social status.

“The law must work freely without fear or favour. We must identify those involved in galamsey, name and shame them, and prosecute them. That’s the only way to win this fight,” he stressed.

Mr. Koomson also suggested that the TUC’s recent position could signal emerging divisions within organised labour on how to engage the government over national challenges such as illegal mining and economic governance.

“We must be careful not to mix political advocacy with labour issues.

The focus should be on strengthening governance and enforcing the law, not on emergency declarations,” he added.