President Akufo-Addo has called on organised labour to reconsider its planned nationwide strike set for October 10, citing his commitment to tackling illegal mining, a pressing concern for the unions.
During a closed-door meeting on Thursday, October 3, with union leaders, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the growing frustration over illegal mining’s environmental damage but requested more time to address their demands.
The unions have raised alarm over what they view as insufficient government action to curb the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
The unions, advocating for immediate and decisive measures, believe that the rampant illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” poses a grave threat to Ghana’s natural resources.
Union leaders have insisted that the issue demands swift action to protect the country’s environment from further destruction.
However, analysts warn that if the strike proceeds as planned, it could bring critical sectors of the economy to a standstill, amplifying the pressure on the government to act swiftly.
In response to these concerns, President Akufo-Addo assured the union leaders that his administration is working on their demands and has proposed another meeting next week to continue discussions.