The Ghana Mine Workers Union has joined miners in Egypt to form an Africa Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth.
The idea is to fight the exploitation of mineral wealth of Africa by foreign multinationals without its corresponding benefits to African workers and economies.
Deputy Secretary General of the Africa Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth, Abdul Moomin Gbana underscored the relevance of setting up the group.
“So, our agenda as a federation is well cut out and we are going to work together as unions across the continent of Africa to ensure that the vision of this Federation is realized.”
” So, we have formed this Federation. The Federation’s headquarters is in Cairo Egypt,” he stated.
“The second goal of setting up Africa Federation is to establish joint investment companies, and the shares of these companies will be the shares of workers.”
“So, we are beginning this collaboration for the interest of the workers of these companies,” he said.
Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Joshua Ansah was pleased with the formation of the Federation.
But was quick to add that the leadership of the Federation should hold African governments accountable with regard to the use of mineral wealth.
“We must hold our governments accountable for the welfare of our workers who work in the mining industry.”
“If we want to sustain our economy, then we must do things right, we must use the correct tools in an extractive industry to ensure whatever benefits that come out of that, workers are given their share and governments also take their share so that together we can develop this country and the economy of the globe,” he said.
Source:onuaonline.com