The founding President of local think tank IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe has egged organized labour on to press on with plans to embark on an industrial action to protest against illegal mining activities in the country.
According to him, Organised labour will be “very foolish” if it falls for the government’s emotional antics and abort the intended strike.
In a Facebook post, he averred that the government has over the years proven it lacks the commitment to the fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
“Organised labour will be very foolish to call off the nationwide strike against state-sponsored illegal mining. The president, his vice-president and the entire government have never been serious about fighting the menace.”
His comments are on the back of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s meeting with labour following the announcement of their planned strike after the government failed to act on their demands to quell illegal mining in the country and save the environment from the ongoing destruction.
At the said meeting on October 3, multiple reports say the President sought to buy more time to deal with the menace and urged the group to back down on the intended strike which starts on October 10, 2024.
Organised labour is among other things demanding the declaration of a state of emergency; the revocation of the LI 2462 that mandates the mining in forest reserves; and the removal of seized machinery from forest reserves.
They also asked for the establishment of special courts to try those engaging in illegal mining; giving the police and the military a free hand to operate; and compel political parties vying in the general election to make a commitment to the fight against galamsey.
Source:opemsuo.com