Amoako Baah criticises Organised Labour for calling off strike

Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, a former head of the Political Science Department at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has expressed disappointment with Organised Labour’s decision to suspend a planned nationwide strike as part of the protest against illegal mining. 

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Wednesday night, Dr. Amoako Baah accused the leadership of organised labour of letting down the entire country, after what he described as “great anticipation” for meaningful change.

He questioned the rationale behind the suspension, calling it a major let-down.

The strike, originally set for Thursday, October 10, was aimed at protesting the government’s handling of illegal mining (galamsey) and related concerns.

However, the strike was called off on Wednesday.

Dr. Amoako Baah criticised the explanation provided by Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary-General Joshua Ansah, who said the government had addressed most of their demands. 

Dr. Amoako Baah found this reasoning unconvincing, especially as the illegal mining issue remained unresolved. “The galamsey must stop now. That’s the whole point. Has it stopped?” he asked.

He called for transparency from organised labour, demanding clarity on what specific demands had been met and why the strike was no longer necessary. “What were the demands, and what have they achieved? Let us know,” he insisted, but added, “I won’t hold my breath.”

While maintaining a balanced stance, Dr. Amoako Baah underscored the importance of accountability, hoping that bribery was not part of the decision-making process. “If the money is big enough, somebody will take it. I hope that’s not the case, but if it is, this will be the last bribe they ever take,” he said.