Galamsey strike will reduce productivity, revenue – Deputy education minister to Organised Labour

Deputy Minister for Education, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, has urged Organised Labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike over government's handling of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

The strike, scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, was announced by Organised Labour in response to government’s delay in declaring a state of emergency to address the environmental devastation caused by galamsey.

Speaking at the Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony in Kumasi on Thursday, 3 October 2024, Prof. Nyarko emphasised that industrial action is not the best way to resolve the crisis, advocating instead for continued dialogue among all parties involved.

"Strikes and demonstrations are not necessarily the solutions to addressing issues or meeting the demands of individuals. That is not the best way to go," Prof. Nyarko stated, stressing the need for collective action.

He noted that the government's efforts to combat galamsey require collaboration from civil society, traditional leaders, and other key stakeholders.

"For me, it’s more about dialogue, because the government and individuals are concerned about the activities of galamsey. The government has put in place interventions to deal with this issue. It demands collective efforts not only from the government but from civil society, the media, chiefs, traditional leaders, and the clergy. Everybody must come on board for us to deal with it," he emphasised.

Prof. Nyarko, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, appealed directly to Organised Labour to reconsider the impact of the strike on the economy, warning that it could have unintended consequences.

"I will plead with Organised Labour that instead of embarking on a strike—we don’t know when it will end—the best way is to keep engaging the authorities for us to come to a meaningful, progressive, and productive solution to this particular problem.

“Industrial action will only lead to a reduction in productivity that will affect our revenue," he added.

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