Tensions are rising within Organised Labour as its leadership convenes to finalize plans for a nationwide strike aimed at pressuring the government to take stronger action against illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
However, divisions have emerged, particularly from groups like the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), who claim they were not consulted before the strike was announced. A group calling themselves “Concerned Members of Organised Labour” has expressed dissatisfaction with how the decision was communicated, despite their shared opposition to galamsey.
While supporting the cause, the faction believes the leadership’s approach to declaring the strike was inappropriate. They are urging Organised Labour to suspend the planned strike and engage in further discussions with the government.
Dr. Solomon Fokuo, a member of TUTAG, voiced these concerns during an interview in Kumasi, stressing that the leadership could have handled the situation more effectively had they been as committed to member welfare as they are to the anti-galamsey campaign.
“We all stand against galamsey and those destroying our water bodies and environment. We urge the government to use legal means to stop it and protect our environment. However, our concern is with how Organised Labour is handling this.
“They’ve declared a strike for October 10 without consulting or involving us. We have no idea where they’re drawing their energy from, but if the same energy had been directed towards improving our welfare, things would have been much better.”