The Responsible Small-scale Miners Association of Ghana has formally notified the Ghana Police Service of its intention to stage a protest on Friday, October 11, 2024. This demonstration is a direct response to Organised Labour’s industrial action, which advocates for a blanket ban on small-scale mining.
The association’s decision to protest stems from its strong disagreement with Organised Labour’s approach to addressing the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. While acknowledging the environmental harm caused by some illegal miners, the association believes that Organised Labour’s solution is misguided.
Mark Conduah, General Secretary of the Responsible Small Scale Miners Association, expressed the group’s opposition to any attempts by Organised Labour to shut down their legal source of livelihood. Conduah emphasized that the association’s members are responsible miners.
Conduah noted that Organised Labour’s strike is politically motivated, rather than a genuine effort to address the galamsey menace. He argued that the strike would unfairly harm legitimate small-scale miners.
The association has attempted to engage with Organised Labour to find alternative solutions but was met with resistance. This lack of dialogue has led the miners to take to the streets.
“We have also communicated our minds to Organised Labour, and they are not willing to listen to us,” Conduah stated. “So we are also coming out in our numbers to demonstrate against Organised Labour.”
The protest aims to assert the miners’ rights and challenge Organised Labour’s stance. Conduah emphasized that small-scale miners deserve to earn a decent living through responsible mining.
The demonstration will convene in Accra, with participants from various regions expected to attend. The association has assured the police that the protest will be peaceful.
The Responsible Small-scale Miners Association is advocating for a balanced approach to addressing galamsey, one that distinguishes between legitimate and illegal mining operations.
As tensions rise, the outcome of the protest and subsequent interactions between the association, Organised Labour, and the government will be closely monitored.
