With time running out, Organised Labour must grasp the moment by advocating for practical answers to Ghana's Galamsey catastrophe. Collective Labour action is the last line of defence against Galamsey's disastrous impact on Ghana's natural resources. The ability of Organised Labour to remain firm in the face of government inaction is critical to Ghana's environmental future.

As the nation grapples with the devastating environmental destruction caused by illegal small-scale mining, known as "galamsey," the Organised Labour movement in Ghana finds itself at a critical juncture.

President Akufo-Addo in a last-ditch effort to stave off a nationwide strike scheduled for October 10, has appealed to labour leaders to reconsider their planned action. However, the former director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansah-Asare, has rightly called on Organised Labour to reject the president's plea and proceed with the protest as scheduled.

The president's handling of the galamsey crisis has been woefully inadequate, and he has failed to live up to his own promise to tackle the issue with the seriousness it deserves.

Akufo-Addo famously declared that he would "put his presidency on the line" in the fight against illegal mining, but his administration's actions have fallen far short of that bold proclamation.

Now, with less than two months left in his tenure, Akufo-Addo is attempting to buy more time by appealing to Organised Labour to abandon their protest.

This is a transparent and desperate attempt to salvage his legacy on an issue that has plagued Ghana for years. The president's plea for "unity" in addressing the crisis rings hollow, given his failure to take decisive action during his time in office.

Organised Labour, as the champion of the voiceless, must not be swayed by the president's last-minute entreaties. They must stand firm and proceed with the nationwide strike as planned, sending a clear message that the government's lack of action on galamsey will not be tolerated.

Galamsey, or illegal small-scale mining, has devastating effects on Ghana's water and food. The chemicals used in galamsey operations contaminate water bodies, making them unsafe for human consumption and irrigation, thereby affecting food production. This pollution also harms aquatic life, reducing fish stocks and impacting the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing.

Furthermore, the pollution of water bodies increases the cost of water treatment, making access to clean water even more challenging for many Ghanaians.

Despite Akufo-Addo's assurances of his administration's commitment to tackling the issue, the evidence suggests otherwise. As Ansah-Asare noted, the president has failed to deliver on his promise to put his presidency on the line, and he has not even had the decency to apologise for his lack of action.

In the final weeks of his term, Akufo-Addo is desperately trying to salvage his legacy, but Organised Labour must not be swayed by his last-minute pleas. They must stand firm and use the power of their collective action to demand meaningful and lasting solutions to the galamsey crisis.

Organised Labour is our last hope of putting an end to these selfish acts. Organised Labour, as the voice of the people, must lead the charge in holding the government accountable and ensuring that the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining is brought to an end, once and for all.