Organised labour has threatened to lay down their tools if the government does not take decisive action against illegal small-scale mining.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has set the end of September as an ultimatum for this demand to be met.

In a statement by the TUC Secretary General, the group demanded the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas, a halt to all mining in forest reserves, the creation of special courts for prosecuting offenders, and the deployment of the military to dismantle mining equipment.

The Congress blamed the government’s inaction for widespread environmental destruction.

Full statement below: