Internal rift emerges in Organised Labour over planned anti-galamsey strike

Tensions have arisen within Organised Labour as its leadership convenes a crucial meeting to finalize plans for a nationwide strike aimed at pressuring the government to take stronger action against illegal mining, or "galamsey."

Discontent is growing among some factions, particularly the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and other groups, who claim they were not consulted before the strike announcement.

A group calling themselves the "Concerned Members of Organised Labour" has voiced opposition to the way the strike decision was communicated. While they support efforts to combat galamsey, they believe the leadership's approach to declaring the strike was inappropriate.

The group is urging Organised Labour’s leadership to suspend the strike and engage in further dialogue with the government. Dr. Solomon Fokuo, a TUTAG member, expressed these concerns to journalists in Kumasi, stating that the leadership’s lack of focus on member welfare has contributed to the current situation.

“We all oppose galamsey and support using legal means to stop it and protect our environment, but our main concern is how Organised Labour is handling the strike," Dr. Fokuo stated.

“They announced the October 10 strike without consulting us, and we have not been involved or informed. If they had shown the same energy in fighting for our welfare, things would have been different,” he added.