Organised Labour, led by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has hinted at plans to embark on a nationwide strike by the end of September if urgent action is not taken to tackle the escalating galamsey crisis.
In a statement issued and signed by the TUC General Secretary, Joshua Ansah, the group demanded government declare a state of emergency in all regions affected by illegal mining.
The group is calling for an immediate halt to mining activities in forest reserves, the creation of special courts to fast-track the prosecution of galamsey operators, and the deployment of military forces to remove and destroy mining equipment in the impacted areas.
The group condemned government's inaction, emphasising the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey, including the destruction of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves.
“The government’s failure to act swiftly and decisively on the galamsey menace has led to significant environmental degradation,” the statement said.
Organised Labour's statement outlined that if concrete measures are not implemented by the end of September, they will initiate a series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike.