Galamsey Showdown: Small-Scale Miners Plan Major Protest Against Labour Strike1 min read

The Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has officially notified the Ghana Police Service about a planned protest on Friday, October 11, 2024.

This demonstration comes in response to Organised Labour’s industrial action advocating for a ban on small-scale mining, as part of efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

While the association recognizes the detrimental impact of some illegal miners on water sources, it asserts that Organised Labour’s strike is politically driven and not an effective solution to the issue.

Speaking an interview, General Secretary Mark Conduah voiced the group’s strong opposition to any attempts to jeopardize their legitimate livelihoods.

“We’ve made our concerns clear to Organised Labour, but they refuse to engage with us. We’re preparing to come out in large numbers to show that they don’t hold a monopoly on being Ghanaians—no one can take away our means of living,” Conduah stated.

He emphasized their right to mine responsibly and earn a fair income.

The protest is expected to gather significant support in Accra, as small-scale miners aim to assert their rights and livelihoods amidst the ongoing debate over mining practices.