The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised alarms regarding the underlying motivations for organised labour’s proposed protest against illegal mining (galamsey).
They argue that these actions seem to coincide with the political agenda of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the 2024 elections approach.
In a press release by Salam Mustapha, NPP’s National Youth Organiser, he cited a leaked confidential document titled “Winning 2024 and Beyond,” allegedly prepared by the NDC in 2021 and disclosed in December 2022.
Mr Mustapha claimed the document outlines the NDC’s 2024 electoral strategy, and there are growing indications that organised labour is following this politically driven plan.
He alleged that “this document outlines the NDC’s strategy for the 2024 elections, and it is becoming increasingly evident that organised labour is following this politically motivated plan.”
“Over the past weeks, we have seen organised labour embark on a number of actions including threatening a national strike and vocalising strong opinions on the issue of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
“Interestingly, this newfound activism comes on issues they have largely been silent on for years. It is highly questionable that they have only found their voice with two months to go before the election, especially on an issue as critical as galamsey,” the statement pointed out.
The NPP highlighted the government’s sustained efforts over the last seven years to tackle illegal mining, pointing to key legislative actions, prosecutions, and military interventions aimed at preserving the environment and natural resources.
The party questioned why organised labour, which had been silent during these efforts, has now become vocal critics.
The NPP also accused organised labour of ignoring substantial concessions made during a recent meeting with the President to address their concerns.
Despite the government’s efforts, the NPP alleged that organised labour’s current stance is politically motivated, aimed at destabilizing the government as part of the NDC’s strategy outlined in the leaked document.
The party called on Ghanaians and organised labour members to resist any efforts to politicize the fight against galamsey, stressing that the issue transcends political affiliations and requires a united national front.
“The future of our environment, livelihoods, and communities depends on us coming together to fight illegal mining as one united front. All hands must be on deck to combat this menace and ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources.
“Let us put the interests of Ghana first and stop using galamsey as a political tool.”