The Responsible Small-scale Miners Association of Ghana has notified the Ghana Police Service of its intent to stage a protest on Friday, October 11, 2024.
The demonstration is in response to Organised Labour’s industrial action advocating for a ban on small-scale mining as part of efforts to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
While the association acknowledges the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, it views Organised Labour’s strike as politically driven and not a viable solution.
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, October 8, Mark Conduah, General Secretary of the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association, voiced the group’s opposition to any attempt to shut down their legal operations, asserting that they too deserve to earn a living responsibly through mining.
The protest, set to take place in Accra, aims to demonstrate the miners’ resistance to Organised Labour’s demands, with Conduah emphasizing that small-scale miners have the right to maintain their livelihoods, just as government employees do.
