Doctors won’t join nationwide strike yet — GMA
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on its members to “continue providing full services without interruptions” despite tomorrow’s nationwide industrial action announced by Organised Labour.
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The leadership of the GMA said it had not come out with a definite roadmap for its participation in the industrial action; hence, the need for its members to work, though it fully backed the protest.
In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its President, Dr Frank Serebour, the GMA clarified: “The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has not declared a roadmap for industrial action.
“Therefore, all members are expected to continue providing full services without interruptions.”
Solidarity
Dr Serebour expressed the GMA’s solidarity with Organised Labour in its campaign against illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’.
“The GMA, however, is in solidarity with Organised Labour in this fight against galamsey. The National Executive Council (NEC) will provide further information when necessary,” Dr Serebour added.
Threat, intervention
Organised Labour had threatened a nationwide strike on October 10, if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo failed to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining and implement long-term solutions to combat the menace.
Since that announcement, the government has tried to engage the leadership in a bid to reach an agreement and avert the action, which could have a dire consequence on economic activities.
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After a meeting last week, the government last Monday announced plans to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462) when Parliament reconvenes later this month, as part of its broader strategy to intensify enforcement against illegal mining, particularly in water bodies and forest reserves, which are classified as “Red Zones”.
A statement signed by the Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, outlined the government’s stance on illegal mining.
The statement emphasised that law enforcement agencies have been fully empowered to crack down on illegal mining activities within these protected areas.
Additionally, it said the Attorney-General would collaborate with the Chief Justice to ensure swift adjudication of cases related to illegal mining, reinforcing the government’s determination to curb the environmental devastation caused by the practice.
Strike still on
However, last Monday, Organised Labour confirmed its decision to proceed with the nationwide strike planned for tomorrow.
The group expressed dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s response to their demands, despite his reaffirmed commitment to addressing the illegal mining issue.
The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, reiterated the union’s determination to go ahead with the strike unless significant action was taken by the government before the ultimatum.
“We have concluded as follows: our strike remains unchanged.
“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.”
The government, in reaction, expressed surprise at Organised Labour’s decision to proceed with the strike, despite ongoing negotiations and efforts to address the illegal mining issue.