The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has accused the government of backtracking on commitments made to curb illegal mining and safeguard Ghana’s water resources, heightening fears of an impending national water crisis.
Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, said the government’s failure to act decisively against illegal mining — commonly known as galamsey — has rendered previous agreements with the labour front meaningless.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 13, Dr. Otoo recalled that the government had pledged in 2024 to intensify efforts to combat environmental degradation after a threatened nationwide strike by the union was called off.
“We agreed on a number of things with government after that aborted strike action in 2024. But it is now clear that government has not kept its part of the bargain,” he lamented.
He warned that the situation has deteriorated significantly, with galamsey operations expanding and contaminating major rivers despite repeated government assurances.
According to Dr. Otoo, the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining is now a threat not only to livelihoods but also to national survival, as polluted rivers endanger water treatment systems in several regions.
“Some may think galamsey is far removed from their everyday lives, but that’s a myopic view. When our water bodies collapse, everyone will feel the impact,” he cautioned.
The TUC’s concern comes on the heels of a fact-finding mission by the union to assess the condition of water treatment plants in Kwanyako, Brim, and Akyem, where workers raised alarms about rising pollution levels and operational challenges.
Dr. Otoo explained that while labour unions traditionally mobilise around wage and welfare issues, the scale of the environmental crisis requires national unity beyond workplace concerns.
“Unions were established to fight for better pay and conditions, so it’s difficult to sustain mobilisation around issues like illegal mining. But this one affects all of us,” he stressed.
The TUC’s latest stance adds pressure on the government to match rhetoric with action, as frustration grows among civil society groups, environmental advocates, and local communities suffering from the effects of galamsey.
Observers say the union’s intervention signals a broader shift in labour activism — linking workers’ welfare to environmental protection and sustainable development — as Ghana faces the risk of widespread water shortages if illegal mining continues unchecked.
