Mine workers threaten to strike over bad roads

The Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) has said if the government does not rehabilitate the bad roads in the mining hub of Tarkwa and Bogoso, they would withdraw their services.

Mr Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the GMWU, said: “This time we will not urge government but give a year's ultimatum to fix the road, failing which the Union will do everything within its powers to withdraw labour in these areas.”

Speaking at the launch of the 70th Anniversary of the Union at its National Executive Council Meeting, in Tarkwa, Mr Ankrah said: “The deplorable road network that links Tarkwa and Bogoso, this strategic mining road, unfortunately, has deteriorated to the point where it is nearly impossible to ply it.”

The anniversary is on the theme: "Seventy Years of Playing a Progressive Role to Promote a Just and Equitable Society".

Mr Ankrah also urged the government to reconstruct the Western rail line to expand activities of companies there, improve on government revenue and to provide employment to the youth in the communities.

He said the huge deposits of bauxite and manganese in the Awaso and Nsuta areas are seriously under exploited due to haulage challenges.

The General Secretary also expressed concern over the delay of the report of the Committee instituted by government to review the various contractual regimes Ghana has with the mining companies.

He said: “We are eager to know the outcome of the Professor Akilakpa Sawyer Committee instituted by our President John Evans Atta Mills, which was tasked to review and make recommendations to the government on the various contractual regimes….”

“We are concerned about the slow pace of the Committee's work; we would like to urge government to make available to the public the final report of the Committee if it has finished its work.”

Mr Ankrah commended the Former President Jerry John Rawlings-led government for its bold commercial acumen employed to redirect the focus of the mining industry.

He said: “The mineral and mining law of 1986 that sought to bring some freshness and energy into the sector is worth mentioning.”

Mr Ankrah announced that the Union has initiated a process to partner the University of Mines, Tarkwa, to research and offer concrete direction into the future of mining economies.

Mr Kwarko Mensah Gyakari, National Chairman of the union, said it was not happy with Newmont Ghana Gold Limited’s decision to retrench 600 workers.