Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President and CEO of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has cautioned that it wouuld be “very foolish” for Organised Labour to abandon its planned industrial strike action aimed at pressuring the government to take decisive steps against illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey.’

Organised Labour has announced a nationwide strike effective Thursday, 10 October 2024, following government's failure to address critical issues surrounding illegal mining.

This decision came after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, 2 October 2024, where union representatives voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of governmental action.

In a prior ultimatum, Organised Labour had given the government until the end of September to implement effective measures against illegal mining activities, which they argue are damaging the environment and jeopardising the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.

Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), emphasised the urgency of their decision, stating: “Following the expiration of our deadline, and the failure of the government to meet our demands on illegal mining, Organised Labour has decided to declare a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024.”

Mr. Ansah called on all workers to remain at home starting Thursday, 10 October 2024, to exert pressure on the government for immediate action to address the illegal mining crisis.

In response, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged Organised Labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike, assuring them of his commitment to tackling the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment.

During a closed-door meeting with union leaders on Thursday, 3 October 2024, the President acknowledged the severity of the illegal mining crisis and emphasised the need for decisive action.

However, in a Facebook post on Friday, 4 October 2024, the Founding President of IMANI expressed skepticism about government's commitment, stating: “Organised Labour will be very foolish to call off the nationwide strike against state-sponsored illegal mining.”

He further asserted that the President, his vice-president, and the entire government have “never been serious about fighting the menace.”