Thomas Musah, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has reaffirmed the commitment of Organised Labour, particularly GNAT, to move forward with the planned strike against illegal and irresponsible mining on October 10.

In an exclusive interview with Citi News' Jude Duncan in Accra on Friday, Musah emphasised that the decision to proceed with the industrial action remains firm, despite a recent meeting between Organised Labour and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

During the meeting on October 3, President Akufo-Addo urged the leadership of Organised Labour to exercise patience as the government seeks a lasting solution to the galamsey crisis.

However, Musah clarified that Organised Labour continues to stand by its demands.

These include declaring a state of emergency in mining regions, revoking the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations 2022, withdrawing all licences issued for mining in forest reserves and protected areas, and establishing special courts to prosecute illegal mining offenders.

Musah, who was not present at the meeting, reiterated that the group remains unified in its stance on addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining.

“What’s the definition of more time, With the people dying, what will happen to them? It is for us to make a decision, it is between life and death.”

“Organised Labour, we have all agreed and that is what GNAT is standing by; we agree that there should be a state of emergency on illegal mining. [We still stand by] the decision of Organised Labour on the protest,” he said.