The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has urged Organised Labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike scheduled for October 10.
The strike is in response to the government’s failure to meet demands, including a total ban on small-scale mining and the declaration of a state of emergency to address illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
GNASSM has expressed concerns that the strike would further strain Ghana’s already fragile economy. Instead of striking, the association encouraged Organised Labour to work with the government to find sustainable solutions to the galamsey crisis.
At a press conference on October 3 in Kumasi, GNASSM highlighted the potential economic repercussions of the strike and cautioned against actions that could worsen the situation.
The association proposed a bipartisan approach to tackling the galamsey issue, advocating for regulated small-scale mining rather than an outright ban.
GNASSM believes collaboration among stakeholders can lead to effective solutions for combatting illegal mining while preserving jobs and livelihoods in the small-scale mining sector.
“We urge Organised Labour to reconsider their decision to initiate a nationwide strike, which could adversely affect our already fragile economy.
Instead, let’s engage in discussions to find lasting, sustainable solutions to illegal mining that are led by technical expertise rather than political agendas,” the association stated.
They emphasized that addressing the galamsey crisis requires a united, bipartisan effort, warning against politicizing the issue for personal gain.
“There must be a bipartisan approach to deal with the illegal mining menace. Those who exploit this situation for selfish reasons should understand that such actions lead us toward destruction, as life depends on clean water,” GNASSM asserted.
Additionally, the association called on the government to urgently deploy personnel to water bodies to address ongoing pollution issues.
Read below the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners’s press conference statement
Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners
Venue: Miklin Hotel, Kumasi
PRESS CONFERENCE
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners have noticed how some sections of the media and some groups of Ghanaians are twisting the Press Statement by the Organized Labor which was released on the 1st of October 2024. The statement did not say anything about banning all forms of small-scale mining but rather the inaction of the government in dealing with the illegal mining activities (galamsey) hence their intended strike from 10 October 2024.
We the small-scale miners share in the concern raised by the various CSOs, Labour Unions, Religious Bodies and Ghanaians as a whole on the pollution and destruction of our forest reserves.
The association is proposing and taking the following steps to support the Government in dealing with the issue,
- We are calling the government as a matter of urgency to deploy personnel to the water bodies to curb the ongoing pollution and GNASSM will support in whatever form or shape.
- The government should reconsider permitting entities to work in the forest reserves. If the companies are not working in accordance with the condition of their permit requirement then it should be revoked
- GNASSM will deploy its task force to the water bodies to arrest these illegal miners polluting our water bodies, mining close to highways and all the fabricators of the dredgers
- Illegal mining (galamsey) is an illegality and there are sanctions prescribed under the Minerals and Mining Acts 2006 (703) as amended by Acts 995. Government should through its agencies enforce the laws.
- We will plead will plead with the Organized Labour to reconsider their decision to embark on a national wide strike which will affect our already fragile economy but rather lead in discussion and finding lasting and sustainable solutions to the illegal mining that will not be politically lead but technical and professionally lead,
- The should be a bipartisan approach in dealing with the illegal mining menace. Those who are politicking with the issue for their own selfish gain should know that it is not the solution issue but rather a path to our destruction as a people because when we if don’t have water there is no life.
Once again we know the importance of the small-scale mining sector which contributes over 8.4 per cent to GDP and 40 per cent of our merchandised export. It also provides job opportunities to many and an estimated 1 million directly and indirectly 4 million people depend on the sector. The supply of raw gold for value addition by our local jewellers and downstream job opportunities.
Unemployment is a security threat and food and water shortage; environmental destruction is a security risk therefore we should find a win-win solution to address these concerns on all fronts.
The Association believes that the interest shown by Ghanaians and the pressure on the government to act has provided an opportunity to deal with the illegal mining activities once and for all.
Thank you.
