The Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has formally notified the Ghana Police Service of its intention to stage a demonstration on Friday, October 12, 2024, through the principal streets of Accra.
The letter, signed by the association’s General Secretary, Mr. Mark Conduah, expressed concerns over the stance taken by the Organized Labour of Ghana, which the association believes is demonizing the small-scale mining sector in a broad and unjust manner.
“We acknowledge that some illegal miners have caused significant damage to our water bodies. However, we firmly believe that Organized Labour’s stance is not the solution to this century-long problem.
“What we need is a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of illegal mining.”
Mr. Mark Conduah, General Secretary
The demonstration comes in response to Organized Labour’s threat to embark on a nationwide strike, slated to begin on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Organized Labour, a coalition of unions and workers’ groups, has called for the strike as a measure to push the government to take immediate steps to address the ongoing illegal mining crisis, widely known in Ghana as “galamsey.”
In their letter to the Ghana Police Service, the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association contended that while illegal mining has indeed caused severe environmental damage, including the pollution of water bodies, the solution proposed by Organized Labour — a blanket crackdown on all forms of small-scale mining — is both harmful and misguided.
According to the association, such an approach would penalize responsible small-scale miners who are lawfully operating under the framework of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703).
Call for Constructive Dialogue
The association is urged that Organized Labour and other stakeholders to support the development of practical, long-term solutions that tackle the root causes of illegal mining without harming legitimate small-scale mining operations.
In the letter, Mr. Conduah emphasized the importance of distinguishing between responsible mining operations and the illegal activities that have devastated Ghana’s rivers, forests, and farmlands.
“Galamsey is already banned in Ghana, and therefore, Organized Labour’s call to ban legitimate mining is just an attempt to frustrate the legalized small-scale mining business.”
Mr. Mark Conduah, General Secretary
The Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association called on all stakeholders — including the government, civil society, and the mining community — to collaborate in crafting solutions that mitigate the threats posed by illegal mining.
The association also reminded the public that small-scale mining, when conducted within legal frameworks, plays a critical role in Ghana’s economy, providing employment for thousands of Ghanaians and contributing to national development.
However, the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association argued that the current approach — including the potential ban of all small-scale mining operations — is not “only counterproductive but also politically motivated.”
The association believes that Organized Labour’s position does not take into account the legal protections and economic benefits of responsible small-scale mining.
The rising tension between these two factions reflects the broader challenges facing Ghana in its attempts to regulate mining activities while preserving the environment.
Organized Labour’s concerns are rooted in the widespread environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, but the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association contended that these issues should not result in the demonization of all miners, especially those adhering to legal and sustainable practices.
With just days remaining before the strike and the planned demonstration, the standoff between these two powerful factions underscores the complexity of finding sustainable solutions to Ghana’s illegal mining problem.
The Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association has expressed its hope that the government and other stakeholders will intervene to ensure that legitimate businesses are protected and that meaningful solutions are found to preserve both the environment and the livelihoods of responsible miners.
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