The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the government to take immediate action to fulfill its commitment to combat illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, which poses a severe threat to agriculture and food security in Ghana. The appeal was made in a press release issued on November 8, 2024, in Accra by GAWU’s General Secretary, Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, as part of Ghana’s 40th Farmers’ Day celebration. This year’s theme, “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security,” underscores the urgent need to protect agricultural resources.
GAWU emphasized that galamsey is one of the most critical challenges facing Ghana’s agricultural sector, as illegal mining devastates rural communities, contaminates water sources, and degrades farmland, jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers. The statement highlighted the detrimental impact of galamsey, reducing agricultural productivity and endangering the country’s food security. GAWU urged the government to honor its promises to organized labor and take decisive steps to tackle galamsey, thereby safeguarding the health, safety, and livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers.
On October 9, 2024, organized labor temporarily suspended a planned nationwide strike after the government promised to address illegal mining. The agreed measures included revoking the Mining in Forest Reserves Regulation of 2023 (L.I. 2642), redeploying military and law enforcement forces to remove illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves, and submitting a memorandum to Parliament for the regulation’s revocation. These measures offered a temporary assurance, yet GAWU’s recent appeal suggests continued concerns about the effectiveness of government actions.
President Akufo-Addo had previously vowed in 2017 to eradicate galamsey, stating that he would put his presidency on the line to end it. However, reports of galamsey have escalated, with allegations that certain government officials may be complicit. This situation has led to protests and demonstrations by civil society organizations, religious groups, and other concerned citizens, urging the government to fulfill its promises and take concrete steps against illegal mining.
GAWU’s statement reflects broader calls for action, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to protect Ghana’s agricultural sector and ensure sustainable food production for the nation.
