By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, May 4, GNA – Mr. Bernard Owusu, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana, has called for immediate and uncompromising action to stop illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that delayed enforcement could severely damage jobs and the national economy.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Koforidua, Mr. Owusu said the country was at a critical point in the fight against illegal mining, despite reforms being undertaken by government.
“I fear that even with the reforms being put in place, we are on the verge of losing this battle,” he said.
Mr. Owusu stressed that Ghana could not afford to remain passive while environmental destruction threatened the livelihoods of workers and future generations.
“We cannot stand idly by and watch the future of our children and workers being destroyed,” he stated.
He explained that galamsey involved the mining of gold or other minerals without proper licences and without adherence to environmental protection regulations.
According to him, the widespread use of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide in illegal mining activities was contaminating rivers and other water bodies.
“These chemicals pollute our rivers and make drinking water dangerous for both humans and animals,” Mr. Owusu said.
He described the protection of water resources as a critical intervention, noting that many industries and communities depended on clean and safe water for survival.
Mr. Owusu also identified agriculture as one of the most affected sectors, saying soil contamination caused by galamsey reduced crop yields and undermined farmers’ livelihoods.
“Contaminated soil affects agricultural productivity, threatens food security and reduces farmers’ income sources,” he said.
The TUC Chairman emphasised that safeguarding the environment was central to protecting jobs and sustaining economic growth.
“When our rivers die, industry, agriculture, investment and jobs all collapse, leaving the Ghanaian worker to shoulder the brunt of this huge loss,” he said.
He added that environmental degradation placed industries that depended on water and natural resources at serious risk, resulting in job losses and rising poverty.
“Whenever the environment is destroyed, industries are threatened, and that leads directly to job losses,” Mr. Owusu said.
He reiterated that the TUC’s stance on illegal mining was firm and non-negotiable, calling for decisive enforcement of laws to end the practice.
“This is why the TUC position on galamsey is uncompromising. We must protect our resources for tomorrow,” he said.
Mr. Owusu said halting illegal mining was not only an environmental necessity, but also an economic intervention needed to secure employment, investment and long-term national development.
The Trade Union Congress serves as the central coordinating body for affiliated unions in Ghana, representing workers in both the formal and informal sectors. Its core mandate includes protecting workers’ rights, improving working conditions, and engaging in policy advocacy on national issues.
GNA
Editing by D. I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporting by Emelia B. Addae
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