“While the union of labour and civil activism can be a force for good governance, we must ensure this partnership doesn’t become a shadow power, blocking progress and undermining democracy.”

In this article, the author raises serious concerns about organized labor’s highhandedness when dealing with matters that involve Ghanaian businesses. It intimates that any unholy conspiracy between organized labor and civil society groups in dealing with this issue could spell doom for governance and Ghanaian business operations. It is emphasized that, like any well-meaning Ghanaian, the author is in full support of every effort at nibbing illegal mining in the bud. While a positive conspiracy between organized labor and civil activism may solidify good governance practices and promote accountability and transparency in government transactions, we should be careful such alliances do not create an avenue for these groups to stifle government and create a parallel power structure. Given the hardhandedness with which organized labor take up these matters which involve Ghanaian businesses, it wouldn’t be unfair to speculate that the renewed partnership between civil society and organized labor may be at the detriment of Ghanaian-owned businesses.

The Reality of Small-Scale Mining

There is no doubt that small scale mining, particularly the illegal one, has impacted our ecology and economy.  Economically, it has been reported that small-scale mining contributes 40% to Ghana’s total production. According to the Minerals Commission, small-scale mining has provided 1. 2 million ounces of gold in the first seven months of 2024, employing over 1 million individuals. Notwithstanding the huge economic benefits and potential of small-scale mining, haphazard mining practices by some illegal mining operators have created ecological challenges, with most of our waterbodies and rivers becoming a pale shadow of their former selves.

Organized Labor’s Call

Organized labor announced an industrial action in a statement dated October 01, 2024. The group explains that its decision is driven by the government’s failure to meet its ultimatum to halt all forms of mining in forest reserves across the country. Following further engagements with the presidency, the group announced that they would go ahead with the strike action as organized labor claims the government has failed to act. Among others, they are demanding that the government moves to place a ban on all forms of small-scale mining and deploy the Police and Military with full orders to remove or destroy all mining and earth-moving equipment near river bodies and within forest reserves. Despite some preliminary commitments by the president, including accepting to get parliament to revoke the Legislative Instrument that permits mining in Ghana’s forest reserve, organized labor insists it will carry on with its planned action, as announced.

Applauds from CSOs

Amidst these impasse, organized labor has received thumps up from some section of the public, with civil society groups and activists being the loudest cheerleaders. A case in point is that of Manasseh Azure Awuni, who in an open letter to the organized labor stated in part,

as follows:

‘‘These licensed small-scale miners are not different from the galamsey operators. In some cases, they are worse because they have the resources to buy heavy equipment, and their scale of destruction has been massive.’’

‘‘My humble appeal to you is this: you will be letting those of us who have started to believe in you down if you fail to act on galamsey.’’

As has always been his stock in trade, Manasseh is not alone in their prejudiced view that small-scale mining is galamsey. Most civil society groups and leaders have shared similar sentiments, backing organized labour to not soften their stance on their planned strike action.

Observations: My Fear of Unholy Conspiracy between Organized Labor and Civil Society groups.

It appears that civil society organizations are beginning to find ways to get their way on matters of public interest, working in close partnership with organized labor. A clear case in our recent history is that of the botched SSNIT hotel sale deal, where organized labor’s planned action, which was largely endorsed by civil society groups, led to its abrupt cancellation. Although organized labor has intellectuals and professionals who have the capacity to make an independent position on issues of national importance, one cannot discount the fact that civil society activists have truly impacted the issues they pick on and the extent to which they go on an issue. While it is natural that this collaboration may exist, as both entities are pressure and interest groups, we need to, however, be wary of the trend and tempo of these partnerships, especially when a Ghanaian business is concerned.

Unfortunately, it appears my fear is likely to be the case. Per how the SSNIT issue played out, I have no doubt that such tendencies may, persist. Like the SSNIT case, organized labor’s current call basically seeks to disengage over 1 million Ghanaians in small scale operators, even those who are doing legitimate business.

Conclusion

In principle, every well-meaning Ghanaian must support efforts at rooting out illegal mining. The consequence of same is daring enough to be ignored. However, while at this, we should not fail to assess the different perspectives on the issues deeply. Any tendency to reduce the magnitudes of small-scale mining to galamsey will be counterproductive. While some of the recommendations of organized labor on this issue are commendable, it cannot be accepted that they would whip all their members to stay at home and wait for their salaries while asking that the government ban all forms of small-scale mining, hence depriving over 4 million Ghanaians their livelihood. This approach would be tantamount to throwing away the bad water with the baby. It will be unfair for Ghanaian businesses that operate legal small-scale mining and after having gone through the rigorous processes to obtain licenses for their operations, to have their businesses halted because some unscrupulous persons are not going by the rules.  In my view, some CSOs and activists, including Manasseh Azure Awuni, should not use the negative press to cast doubts about the operations of small-scale miners as though the big players in large-scale mining are sacrosanct. Again, the highhandedness of organized labour and civil society groups on matters that affect Ghanaian-owned businesses must be equally concerning to all.

Samuel Authur

Independent Watcher.