Kwaku Ansah-Asare, a former Director of the Ghana School of Law, has asked Organised Labour to reject President Akufo-Addo’s plea to them to suspend their intended strike.
With just some few weeks to exit office, the former Law School Director says the President will not keep any promise he makes to the people.
According to him, Akufo-Addo, after telling Ghanaians he was going to put his presidency on the line to fight illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’, failed woefully and could not live by his words.
His comments follow the President’s appeal to Organised Labour to reconsider a strike action it has threatened against galamsey which is devastating Ghana’s environment.
The President at a closed-door meeting with the union leaders Thursday, October 03, 2024, pleaded with them to take a second look at the labour action intended to commence on October 10.
But according to Ansah-Asare, Akufo-Addo has never been sincere with anything he has said about ‘galamsey’ since his assumption into office.
Ansah-Asare criticised Akufo-Addo for failing to follow through on his promise to put his presidency on the line in the fight against the galamsey menace, citing a lack of sincerity in addressing the issue.
“On assumption of office, he said he would put his presidency on the line and said should he fail the galamsey fight, he would pay for it. We have asked him to apologise but he hasn’t apologised.
“He has only eight weeks [to end his tenure] and by now, he should have allowed his vice, Dr. Bawumia to assume the reigns of government. He shouldn’t be asking organised labour to do anything.
“He has not been sincere. You will not keep any promise that you give within the next eight weeks. So as far as I am concerned, organised labour should proceed with the timetable,” he stated.
Meanwhile, persons who embarked on a protest to demand the government to act towards the canker have been arrested and remanded into police and prison custody.
Members of the governing party, have, meanwhile, said the government is not going to stop galamsey to protect their seats in Parliament.
Striking will not solve ‘galamsey’ – Deputy Education Minister tells Organised Labour
