President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged organised labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike set for October 10, assuring them of his commitment to addressing their concerns about the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment.

During a closed-door meeting with union leaders on Thursday, October 3, the President acknowledged the severity of the illegal mining crisis, commonly known as 'galamsey,' and emphasised the need for decisive action.

The discussions centred on the environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities and the steps the government is taking to tackle the issue.

Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that President Akufo-Addo appealed to the unions for more time to address their demands, asking them to delay their planned strike.

He reassured them that government remains committed to resolving the problem of illegal mining, which has long posed a significant threat to Ghana's natural resources and environment.

Organised labour, however, has expressed frustration over what it perceives as the government’s inadequate efforts to combat the ongoing environmental destruction caused by galamsey.

The unions argue that urgent measures are required to protect the country’s natural resources from further degradation.

The threat of a nationwide strike has raised concerns among analysts, who warn that such an action could severely disrupt key sectors of the economy, potentially leading to widespread economic instability.

In response to the growing tension, President Akufo-Addo promised to hold another meeting with organised labour leaders next week to further discuss their concerns and explore possible solutions.