The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns about the motives behind organised labour’s intended anti-illegal mining strike, claiming they are closely aligned with the National Democratic Congress’ political strategy for the upcoming 2024 elections.
In a press statement issued by the National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, he referenced a leaked confidential document titled “Winning 2024 and Beyond,” which was prepared by the NDC in 2021 and came to light in December 2022.
He alleged that “this document outlines the NDC’s strategy for the 2024 elections, and it is becoming increasingly evident that organised labour is following this politically motivated plan.”
“Over the past weeks, we have seen organised labour embark on a number of actions including threatening a national strike and vocalising strong opinions on the issue of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
“Interestingly, this newfound activism comes on issues they have largely been silent on for years. It is highly questionable that they have only found their voice with two months to go before the election, especially on an issue as critical as galamsey,” the statement pointed out.
The communique highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts over the past seven years to combat illegal mining, citing significant legislative measures, prosecutions, and military interventions aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources.
The NPP noted that during these efforts, organised labour had remained silent, only to now emerge as vocal critics.
Furthermore, NPP accused organised labour of ignoring substantial concessions made by the government during a recent meeting with the President, aimed at addressing their concerns.
“Despite these efforts, it is evident that organised labour’s current actions are politically charged, aimed at destabilising the government, and fueled by the NDC’s strategy as outlined in the leaked document.”
The party therefore called on Ghanaians and members of organised labour to reject any attempts to politicise the fight against galamsey.
The party stressed that the galamsey menace is a national issue that transcends party lines, urging unity among all stakeholders to combat illegal mining effectively.
“The future of our environment, livelihoods, and communities depends on us coming together to fight illegal mining as one united front. All hands must be on deck to combat this menace and ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources.
“Let us put the interests of Ghana first and stop using galamsey as a political tool.”
