Organised Labour Strike Is A Service To The Nation: Galamsey Must Stop Now

Over the last three decades, successive governments in Ghana have tried to address the issue of illegal mining (galamsey) through various military interventions. In 2006, President Kufour launched “Operation Flush-out,” a joint military-police operation aimed at unlicensed galamsey operators. Similarly, in 2013, President Mahama initiated “Operation Halt” to tackle illegal mining. However, during the 2016 election campaign, galamsey became a pivotal issue, one that would ultimately shape the election’s outcome.

President Akufo-Addo, during the 2016 campaign, assured small-scale miners that his government would not destroy their livelihoods. He labeled NDC claims that he would end galamsey as mere propaganda aimed at tarnishing his candidacy. Everywhere he went, he championed the cause of miners, positioning the NPP as the party that would empower them. In a mini rally at Abura in the Shama Constituency, Akufo-Addo promised that his government would allow the continuation of galamsey, while the NDC under Mahama was allegedly using the military to crush the miners.

At a rally, candidate Akufo-Addo said “I once promised you that I will regularise small-scale mining to ensure that the youth will find work to do. Shortly afterwards, Mahama also came here to tell you that I was lying, and that an Akufo-Addo government will rather sack everyone involved in galamsey. When he won the [2012] election, he rather directed Soldiers to come and drive out all persons involved in galamsey in Obuasi, and other areas. That is the legacy the NDC will be leaving behind,” Miners fell for this campaign message reflective in the NPP’s impressive performance in galamsey constituencies in the 2016 elections, relative to the NDC’s, compared to the 2012 electoral outcomes in the same constituencies.

These campaign promises resonated deeply with voters in mining constituencies, reflecting in the NPP’s strong performance in those areas during the 2016 elections. Akufo-Addo’s assurances stood in stark contrast to the Mahama-led government’s clampdown, and his message appealed to miners seeking livelihood security.

Yet, after winning the election, President Akufo-Addo a soft stance on galamsey menance. In April 2017, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) demanded an end to illegal mining, leading to a national consensus against the practice. This shift in public opinion forced the president’s hand, leading to a disconnection between the NPP’s campaign promise and the subsequent crackdown on galamsey.

It’s important to note that it wasn’t President Akufo-Addo’s idea to fight galamsey, but rather the result of pressure from the MCAG. The president’s so-called commitment to tackling the issue, including his declaration that he would put his presidency on the line to end galamsey, was not born out of genuine intent but out of political necessity.

Between 2017 and 2020, the government launched “Operation Vanguard” to address illegal mining. But what was the achievement? Over 600 excavators ceased vanished and landed in party members home-town (late Sir John in my mind). The galamsey menace has only worsened, as key actors, including chiefs and politicians, many from the NPP, have been implicated in illegal mining activities. The President sacked Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, a Minister who was about to expose his government. The fight against galamsey has been nothing more than a façade, with the President making empty promises while allowing the destruction of our forests and water bodies to continue.

As they say, there is no smoke without fire. Under the Mills-Mahama administration, Ghana achieved record cocoa production levels, peaking at over 1 million metric tonnes in 2010/11. In stark contrast, the NPP government has overseen a dramatic decline, with production for the 2023/24 crop season at just 650,000 metric tonnes. This drop is directly linked to the galamsey menace that has devastated cocoa-growing areas. The NDC was on the right track in tackling illegal mining, but Nana Akufo-Addo lured Ghanaians into believing his deceptive campaign slogans.

From 1988 to 1999, during the PNDC and President Rawlings era, only 24 mining licenses were issued, with 2 suspended. In President Kufuor’s eight-year tenure, 14 licenses were issued. During President Mills/Mahama’s administration, 54 licenses were issued, with 7 suspended and 13 under review. However, under President Akufo-Addo, an astonishing 1,560 licenses have been granted for gold and diamond mining, excluding over 200 licenses for granite, lithium, manganese, and other minerals. This staggering figure underscores the extent of environmental degradation that has occurred under this administration.

They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and that is posture of President Nana Akufo-Addo after assuming power. The President who is the custodian of the 1992 Constitution instructed his Attorney General and the court to refuse bail for the galamsey demonstrator. But when a foreign media asked him about continue unlawful detain of the the guys, including a pregnant woman, President Akufo-Addo said he was not responsible for jailing people. And that it’s their behaviour which have landed them in jail.

Relating his attitude to the late Akwasi Ampofo Agyei’s song “Ehye Wo Bo”, the President does not care about Ghanaians plight. His unconcerned characters manifested in his reckless over bloated appointment, his clearing agent style, his government intimidation, and how he refers to his critics as “naysayers”. It’s clear that President Akufo-Addo has no real interest in fighting galamsey. His government’s actions, or lack thereof, reflect a leadership that has put personal and political interests above the well-being of Ghanaians. When his own MPs called for the dismissal of the worst Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, the President pleaded for more time, only to empower Ofori-Atta even further within the presidency. NDC is a party that tolerates and has ears for everything that is why people like Manasseh disrespectful and after peddling lies against President John Mahama still enjoyed his freedom under same regime. Manasseh couldn’t do that under President Akufo-Addo. I advise Manasseh to be circumspect in the way he drags NDC’s name in any of his write-ups.

It is so shocking to know that, while some concerned citizens are fighting the government to declare the state of emergency against the galamsey and while some have still be detained in police jail, the Minerals Commission of Ghana chaired by former MP of Prestea Huni-Valley, lawyer Barbara Oteng Gyasi and the CEO Martin Kwaku Ayisi have still gone ahead issuing 30 galamsey licenses in September 2024, and 14 licenses on October 3, 2024. Isn’t it an insult to Ghanaians’ intellect and our being?

As the Organised Labour prepares for a strike on October 10, the President’s response is simply a tactic to buy time. With less than 60 days to the election, he’s stalling to avoid offending his allies in the galamsey industry. Some NPP MPs have even openly declared that they will not campaign against galamsey. The NDC, however, remains focused on ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.When John Mahama becomes president, the NDC will once again tackle the galamsey issue head-on. We are fully aware of the damage this menace has caused, and we will not encourage or tolerate it under any circumstance.

By Lewis Kwame Addo