THE nationwide strike in Ghana, initially planned for October 10, 2024 to protest illegal mining, was called off at the last minute following discussions between labour unions and the government. The strike, backed by the African regional organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), aimed to pressure the government to take decisive action against the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
ITUC-Africa had expressed strong support for the strike, highlighting the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment, public health, and workers’ livelihoods across the country. In a statement, ITUC-Africa condemned the Ghanaian government’s failure to address the issue, stating that ‘illegal mining continues to wreak havoc on the environment, public health, and the livelihoods of workers.’
The trade unions had urged all workers to stay home until the government demonstrated a commitment to ending illegal mining. They stressed that the environmental damage caused by illegal mining has led to deforestation, land degradation, and water contamination, severely impacting ecosystems and livelihoods essential to Ghana’s economy.
However, after a last-minute meeting with government officials, labour unions decided to call off the strike, hopeful that progress will now be made towards tackling illegal mining and addressing the concerns of workers and environmentalists alike.
Credit: Africabriefing
