As the October 10 deadline looms for Organised Labour’s threatened nationwide demonstration, government spokesperson on Governance and Security has made an impassioned plea for the unions to soften their stance.
Speaking on October 8, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah urged for more dialogue between the government and Organized Labour, rather than moving forward with a strike that could effectively shut down the nation.
With Organised Labour demanding a state of emergency to address illegal mining (galamsey) and protect the country’s water bodies, tensions have been rising.
However, Dr Boakye-Danquah assured that the government is actively engaged in discussions behind the scenes, working to resolve the crisis without resorting to drastic measures.
“There’s a lot of backdoor conversation with Organised Labour to meet them halfway,” he revealed during the interview.
While these talks have not yet been publicly disclosed, the government spokesperson expressed optimism that significant progress is being made.
“Anyone observing can see that the government is working.”
Dr. Boakye-Danquah acknowledged the concerns raised by Organised Labour but stated the importance of maintaining open channels of communication.
“I would want to reassure Labour that they should soften a bit more of their stance, especially as they are invited to a meeting tomorrow,” he said, expressing hope that the upcoming talks would yield a positive outcome.
With time running out before the deadline, the spokesperson highlighted that several unions under Organised Labour have already begun voting on whether to proceed with the strike, a move that could have significant repercussions for the entire country.
However, Dr. Boakye-Danquah remains confident that a resolution is within reach.
“I’m aware that the various local unions are beginning to vote… but I am extremely confident that Labour, being a part of President Akufo-Addo’s fight against illegal mining, will not go on strike.”
The government spokesperson also noted that some labour leaders are currently dealing with internal challenges, including injunctions and removal processes, which may impact the final decision on whether to move forward with the nationwide demonstration.
Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence that within the next 24 to 48 hours, government would take visible actions to address the concerns brought forward by Organised Labour.
The appeal comes at a crucial time as Organised Labour’s demand for a state of emergency over the galamsey crisis has been met with both public and political scrutiny.
While Labour leaders argue that drastic measures are necessary to save the country’s water bodies and environment, the government is pushing for a more measured approach that prioritises continued dialogue over a nationwide strike.
“We want more talks, not a shutdown,” Dr Boakye-Danquah concluded, imploring the unions to give the government more time to implement solutions.
“I’m very sure that the outcome of the meeting will be very good.”
With the strike deadline just two days away, all eyes are on the upcoming meeting, which will likely determine the course of action for both the government and Organised Labour.
