Small scale miners association call on Organised Labour to halt nationwide strike action

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has asked Organised Labour to reconsider the decision to embark on a nationwide strike action in relation to the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

According to the association, a nationwide strike will bring damaging effects on the already struggling economy.

The group has rather encouraged Organised Labour to continue engaging the government in discussions towards finding a lasting and sustainable solution to the galamsey canker.    

At a press conference in Kumasi, the General Secretary of GNASSM, Godwin Amarh said the discussion must also respect the role of all relevant technical as well as regulatory institutions devoid of political partisanship.

In a conference room parked with over hundred small-scale miners from across Ghana, chanting songs that suggest mining cannot be banned in Ghana, the GNASSM General Secretary explained that the association was not oblivious of the concerns by various CSOs, religious bodies and the general public on the destruction to water bodies and forests.

According to Mr Amarh, GNASSM has therefore proposed as well as decided to support the galamsey fight by deploying a taskforce to illegal mining sites to arrest miners polluting water bodies, calling for the support of government in terms of personnel and logistics.

Again, government must re-examine the granting of mining licenses for mining operators in forest reserves.

“Illegal mining or galamsey is an illegality and there are sanctions prescribed under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006(703) as amended. Government should through its agencies enforce these laws”, he stated.

The General Secretary reminded the public on the importance of small-scale mining, claiming they contribute about 40 per cent to GDP growth through merchandised exports, “there are about four million Ghanaians employed in the small-scale business and from January to August, a report from Minerals Commission indicated US$2.7 billion was generated from the mining sector”.

The group called for a bipartisan approach in addressing the menace and warned politicians to desist from politicking with the issue for their selfish gains.

He said the association support the general outcry for a solution, which would put pressure on government to act and address the galamsey menace to save the forest and waters.

The Ashanti Regional President of GNASSM, Frank Osei called for regulations in the mining sector to bring sanity and stop all forms of illegal mining, which affect the small-scale miners who mine legally.

He was of the view that Ghanaians had the legal right to mine and questioned why foreigners were allowed to mine and not the citizens of the country.