Josiah
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has urged its members to “continue providing full services without disruptions” in light of the upcoming nationwide strike announced by Organised Labour, set to begin on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour clarified, “The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has not outlined any plan for industrial action. Therefore, all members should maintain full service provision without interruptions.”
While expressing solidarity with Organised Labour in its fight against illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” Dr. Serebour emphasized that the GMA is not participating in the strike for now.
“The GMA supports Organised Labour in the fight against galamsey. The National Executive Council (NEC) will provide updates as needed,” he stated.
On Monday, the government expressed surprise at Organised Labour’s decision to proceed with the strike, despite ongoing negotiations aimed at tackling the illegal mining issue.
As part of its broader strategy to curb illegal mining, especially in protected areas, the government announced plans to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462) when Parliament reconvenes. These areas, designated as “Red Zones,” include water bodies and forest reserves.
In a statement signed by Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar on Monday, October 7, the government highlighted its commitment to combating illegal mining, noting that law enforcement agencies have been fully empowered to target illegal activities in these areas. The Attorney-General will also work with the Chief Justice to expedite the handling of cases related to illegal mining, reinforcing the government’s resolve to address the environmental damage caused by the practice.
Additionally, the government voiced its support for a proposal requiring all presidential candidates to sign a pledge to fight illegal mining, seeking to depoliticize the issue and promote unified national action against the menace.
