Accra (Greater Accra) 26 May '99

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr Fred Ohene-Kena has described as ridiculous and absurd statements in certain sections of the press seeking to read politics into the industrial unrest at the Obuasi mines of Ashanti Goldfields Company.

A statement issued in Accra said the Minister condemned attempts by certain persons "to inject totally extraneous matters into the unfortunate Obuasi strike action."

The statement quoted the minister as saying since word got to government that there were agitations at Obuasi following the signing of the collective bargaining agreement between management and the workers' union, government had been involved both in preventing breaches of the peace and helping to negotiate a resolution of the impasse.

Mr Ohene-Kena explained that from the start of the unrest, the District and Regional secretariats had been involved in monitoring the situation and ensuring the maintenance of law and order.

"At the request of AGC management police reinforcements were immediately deployed to protect vital installations.

"The only request that government did not grant was for the deployment of military personnel because this was not considered advisable."

The statement said the minister led a delegation of heads of security agencies in Ashanti to meet with union and section representatives at which it was agreed that the workers should return to work while their grievances are addressed by their management.

This was followed by a meeting last Friday between the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and representatives of the workers from both their local and national unions.

"In the light of the foregoing, it is mischievous for a section of the private media to attempt to introduce politics into what is purely a labour issue."

The statement quoted the minister as saying since the beginning of this year, there have been several strikes involving doctors, polytechnic staff, Teachers and Educational Workers Union and other organised labour groups "which the same private media have viewed as normal industrial unrest."

He said he wondered why government should now be accused by the same media of manipulating AGC workers to strike when the loss of revenue resulting from the unrest rather affects government's ability to meet its economic target.