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Galamsey: We’ll proceed with nationwide strike – Organised Labour
Organised Labour has confirmed its decision to proceed with the nationwide strike planned for Thursday, October 10, 2024.
The group expressed dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s response to their demands, despite his reaffirmed commitment to addressing the illegal mining issue.
Organised Labour has been urging the president to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining and implement long-term solutions to combat the menace.
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 7, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, reiterated the union’s determination to go ahead with the strike unless significant action is taken by the government before the ultimatum.
“We have concluded as follows; our strike remains unchanged,’ he stated.
He continued: “We are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands and therefore our notice of strike remains unchanged.”
Meanwhile, tensions have surfaced within Organised Labour as some factions, particularly from the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and other groups, claim they were not consulted before the announcement of the strike.
A faction, identifying themselves as “Concerned Members of Organised Labour,” has voiced opposition to how the strike decision was communicated. Although they support the fight against galamsey, they believe the leadership’s approach to declaring the strike was improper.
The group is calling on Organised Labour’s leadership to suspend the strike and engage in further dialogue with the government.
Dr. Solomon Fokuo, a member of TUTAG, expressed these concerns to journalists in Kumasi, emphasizing that if the leadership had shown the same level of commitment to addressing the welfare of their members, the situation could have been handled more effectively.
He said, “We are all against galamsey. We are against all those who are destroying our water bodies and the environment and we urge the government to use legal means to stop it to protect our environment but the major concern is what Organised Labour is talking about.”
“They have decided to declare a strike on October 10 but we were not consulted and we have not been involved and are not aware,” he said.
He added, “We have not been involved in any of the activities that they have been doing. We don’t know where they get their energy from and if they had used the same energy in fighting for our welfare, things would have been better.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Bawumia has good ideas and programmes for Ghana, not 24-Hour discos– Pres Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is confident that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia remains best qualified on our political market to lead the country into the much desired fourth industrial revolution.
According to the President, who is currently on a two-day visit of the Northern, North East and Savanna regions, Dr. Bawumia has been well prepared, and he is now ready to become President.
Whilst asking for the support and effort of the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu for their son, the Vice President, President Akufo-Addo said, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a man of good ideas and good programmes for the country.
“He is not proposing 24-hour discotheques. He is the man best qualified to lead Ghana into the fourth industrial revolution. So I want us to work together make sure he becomes the next president of this country,” he said.
Establishing the premise of his remarks, President Akufo-Addo said he is asking for the support not just because he is a son of Mampruguland, but because, “Dr Bawumia is extremely competent, fit and able to be our next President.”
“I’ve worked with him for these past sixteen years and apart from being capable, competent and intellectually well-endowed, he is also a man of great loyalty, principled and honest. I am confident that if the people of Ghana agree with me and give him the chance, he will make an excellent President,” he added.
He was confident that if Ghanaians agree with him, and give Dr Bawumia the chance, “he will make an excellent President.”
Like all big Chiefs get concerned about matters relating to who succeeds them the person who will occupy your seat after you, the difference between us is that you will never know who will follow you, but in my case, I will know who will follow me.”
“Because you are a monarch and you will reign until you die, its only after your death that your successor is chosen, but I am a republican and democratic Chief, and I know who will succeed me. So I’ve come here to ask for your support to make sure that your son, my Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia succeeds me,” he ended.
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For the peace In Dagbon, your name will forever be etched in our hearts – Yaa Naa hails Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has received resounding praise and applause from the overlord of Dagbon Traditional area for superintending the restoration and maintenance of much-desired peace in Dagbon.
President Akufo-Addo, today 15th October 2024, visited the Yaa Naa at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi as part of a scheduled two-day tour of the Northern, North East and Savanna regions.
Yaa Naa Abukari Andani II, the overlord of Dagbon, conveyed the gratitude of Dagbon to the President for speedily yet tactfully resolving the protracted Dagbon conflict which had hitherto claimed lots of lives and stated that his name will forever be etched in the history of Dagbon and the country.
“Your decisive leadership in ending the protracted mediation process between Abudu and Andani families through the esteemed committee of eminent Chiefs which included His Majesty the Nayiri, His Majesty the Yagbonwura and His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is the masterstroke that paved the way for the performance of the funerals of our two deceased Yaa Naa.”
He also referred to President Akufo-Addo’s continued support to ensure the installation of the new Yaa Naa and sustained guidance to maintain the peace in Dagbon.
He continued that the traditional offer of a Bull and a hundred tubers of yam serves as a tangible expression of the deep respect and honour that “I hold for you as friend and benefactor.”
He was also grateful for the appointment of key people from the area to various leadership positions within the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration with the appointment of the first Finance Minister from the North, particularly significant and demonstrating President Akufo-Addo’s recognition of the capabilities and their potential commitment to inclusive leadership.
“May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come, and you will be cherished as a true statesman and champion of peace and security,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo, on his part, said, “the settlement that has seen you preside over the reconciliation of Dagbon and the restoration of the peace and stability of this great kingdom. And I want to congratulate you, on the success of your reign as Yaa-Naa of Dagbon.”
He added that, “the Dagbon case is a great example to all the traditional institutions of our country, that when people work together, they can get positive results, and in you, we have an example of what a wise, sagacious forward looking Chief can do for his people.”
“As I get ready to step down in three months times, it is right for me to go around and thank the people of Ghana for the confidence, the support that they have given to me and to come and say goodbye to you and the people of Dagbon.”
He also thanked Dagbon for the support and encouragement over these last eight years and appreciated the work done together to ensure the peace, the stability and the progress of Dagbon.
President Akufo-Addo also rallied the support of Dagbon for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, saying, “he is not just a worthy son, but a competent, knowledgeable and above all an honest man whom I believe is the person that can continue the work that I have begun.”
