Deputy Education Minister criticises Organised Labour strike amid Galamsey crisis

Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, has appealed to Organised Labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike over galamsey concerns.

Speaking at the Ghana Teacher Prize in Kumasi, on Thursday, October 3, Prof. Nyarko emphasised that industrial action isn’t the best approach, instead advocating for more dialogue among stakeholders.

“Strikes and demonstrations are not necessarily the solutions in addressing issues or meeting the demands of individuals. That is not the best way to go

For me, it’s more about dialogue, because the government and individuals are concerned about the activities of galamsey. The government has put in place interventions to deal with this issue

It demands collective efforts not only from the government but from other civil society and the media should be involved as well, chiefs, traditional leaders, the clergy and everybody must come on board for us to deal with it

I will plead with Organised Labour that instead of embarking on strike we don’t know when it will end, the best way is to keep engaging the authorities for us to come to a meaningful, progressive and productive solution to this particular problem. Industrial action will only lead to a reduction in productivity that will affect our revenue,” he said.

Prof Kingsley’s comment follows Organised Labour’s declaration of a strike, slated for October 10, in response to the government’s inaction to address their demands concerning illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

“Following the expiration of our deadline, and the failure of the government to meet our demands on illegal mining, Organised Labour has decided to declare a nationwide strike with effect from October 10, 2024

We are therefore calling on all workers to stay at home starting Thursday, October 10, 2024, until the government accede to our demands,” the Labour said in a statement signed by Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the TUC.