Organised Labour has reaffirmed its plan to launch a nationwide strike on Thursday, 10 October, 2024, citing dissatisfaction with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s response to their demands regarding illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

Despite recent government assurances to address the issue, Organised Labour remains unsatisfied.

The union has been urging the president to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining and implement long-term solutions to curb the environmental devastation caused by the practice.

Although government has expressed a commitment to tackling the problem, Organised Labour insists more decisive action is needed.

Speaking to the media on Monday, 7 October 2024, Trades Union Congress (TUC) Secretary General, Joshua Ansah, reiterated the union’s resolve to proceed with the strike unless significant progress is made before the deadline.

“We have concluded as follows: our strike remains unchanged,” Mr. Ansah noted.

He continued that: “We are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands, and therefore our notice of strike remains unchanged.”

However, cracks have emerged within the union, with some factions, particularly the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), expressing dissatisfaction over a lack of consultation before the strike was announced.

 A faction calling themselves “Concerned Members of Organised Labour” has criticised the union leadership’s handling of the decision, while still supporting the fight against illegal mining.

Dr. Solomon Fokuo, a member of TUTAG, voiced his concerns during an interview in Kumasi, stressing that although they agree with the union's stance against galamsey, the strike decision was mishandled.

“We are all against galamsey. We are against all those who are destroying our waterbodies and the environment, and we urge the government to use legal means to stop it.

“But the major concern is what Organised Labour is talking about,” Dr. Fokuo said.

He further criticised the union leadership, stating: “They have decided to declare a strike on October 10, but we were not consulted and are not aware. We have not been involved in any of the activities they have been doing. We don’t know where they get their energy from, and if they had used the same energy in fighting for our welfare, things would have been better.”