Galamsey: ‘Establish a special Court to prosecute perpetrators’ — Organized Labour to gov’t

Ghana's major labour unions are demanding swift and decisive action from the government to curb the rampant problem of illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, September 11, the Trades Union Congress called for the establishment of a special court to prosecute perpetrators of galamsey.

“Establish a special Court to prosecute the perpetrators of this horrible crime," said Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of TUC Ghana, reading the statement.

The unions are calling on President Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately declare a state of emergency that halts all mining activities in forest reserves and around water bodies.

"An order to halt to all forms of mining (legal or illegal) in forest reserves and around water bodies is needed," the statement quoted Mr Ansah as saying.

Organized labour also wants all mining equipment evacuated from fragile ecosystems and destroyed.

They highlighted the severe damage galamsey is having on the country's water, farmland, health and general environment.

If their demands for decisive action are not met by the end of September, the unions threaten a series of demonstrations and possible nationwide strike.