A concerned citizen has expressed strong support for Organised Labour to follow through with its plans for a strike over the illegal mining (galamsey) menace.

In an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, October 5, the concerned citizen said the galamsey issue is a serious national concern and therefore must be taken as such.

She commended Organised Labour for its previous influence in halting the sale of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels. However warned that failure to carry through with the strike over the existential threat - galamsey, they would be silenced forever.

“In my view, Organised Labour will be acting as toothless bulldogs if they are unable to go through with this because this is a national issue,” she said.

Organised Labour has called for a nationwide ban on all mining activities in forest reserves, but the government has yet to act on this request.

During an emergency meeting on October 1, the group expressed frustration over the government's failure to meet a September deadline for decisive action against illegal mining (galamsey), which they argue is damaging the environment and livelihoods.

In response, Organised Labour has declared a nationwide strike starting on October 10 to protest galamsey, warning of potentially severe economic consequences if no action is taken.

Read also: Galamsey: Organised labour declares strike Oct. 10 after expiration of gov’t ultimatum

The citizen emphasised that Organised Labour must resist political interference in its decision to strike, urging the leadership to act with independence.

She believed that decisive action would prove that the citizens are not passive and that the government should be held accountable, especially since it has had seven years to address these pressing issues.

Meanwhile, the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) has reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the scheduled strike action on October 10 if the government does not declare a state of emergency on Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.

TUC Vice Chairman, Ken Tweneboah Koduah stated that the strike remains on track despite ongoing discussions with government.

Read also: Galamsey: October 10 strike on track – TUC

According to him, TUC has already begun engaging its members and employers in preparation for the strike.

“Nothing has changed from the last publication. I can assure you that our strike is on course… we stand very firm and unshaken on this,” he said.