Deputy Minister for Education, Prof. Kingsley Nyarko, has urged Organised Labour to reconsider its decision to launch a nationwide strike over illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

Speaking at the Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony in Kumasi on Thursday, October 3, he addressed concerns regarding the upcoming industrial action.

Prof. Nyarko appealed to Organised Labour to seek alternative solutions, arguing that a strike may not be the best approach to tackle the galamsey issue.

He highlighted the importance of ongoing discussions and collaboration between all involved parties to find a sustainable solution to the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.

In his view, dialogue and cooperation would prove more productive than disrupting national work output.

The strike, set for October 10, was called by Organised Labour in response to the government's failure to declare a state of emergency over the galamsey crisis.

Labour groups have raised concerns about the severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining, particularly to water sources and farmlands, and are demanding swift action.

Prof. Nyarko, who also represents Kwadaso in Parliament, acknowledged the legitimacy of Organised Labour's concerns but insisted that striking would not necessarily lead to the desired changes.

He called for a unified effort between the government, labour unions, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal mining and address its devastating impact.

“For me, it’s more about dialogue, because the government and individuals are concerned about the activities of galamsey. The government has put in place interventions to deal with this issue."

“It demands collective efforts not only from the government but from other civil society, and the media should be involved as well, chiefs, traditional leaders, the clergy, and everybody else must come on board for us to deal with it."

“I will plead with Organised Labour that instead of embarking on a strike we don’t know when it will end, the best way is to keep engaging the authorities for us to come to a meaningful, progressive, and productive solution to this particular problem. Industrial action will only lead to a reduction in productivity that will affect our revenue.”