Salam Mustapha
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made shocking claims that Organised Labour’s recent actions, including threats of a national strike and vocal opposition to galamsey, are politically motivated and aligned with the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) 2024 election strategy.
In a statement, Salam Mustapha, National Youth Organizer of the NPP, said a leaked confidential document titled “Winning 2024 And Beyond” reveals the NDC’s plan to exploit critical issues like galamsey for political gain.
Salam Mustapha questions Organised Labour’s sudden interest in galamsey, citing their silence on the issue for years despite government efforts to tackle illegal mining.
He explained that the Akufo-Addo led government has taken decisive actions against galamsey, including passing legislation with stiffer punishments and prosecuting offenders like Aisha Huang, who committed crimes during Mahama’s administration.
Mustapha emphasizes that Organised Labour’s convenient ignorance of these concessions and their recent activism suggest a politically charged agenda.
“We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians and members of the various unions under Organised Labour to reject any attempt to politicise the fight against galamsey,” Mustapha urges.
“This is a national issue that transcends party politics. The future of our environment, livelihoods, and communities depends on us coming together to fight illegal mining as one united front.”
Below is the full statement:
Organised Labour’s Position Aligns with NDC’s Election Strategy, Leaked Confidential Document Reveals
We wish to bring to the attention of the Ghanaian public that we are fully aware that the recent calls by Organised Labour and their motives are aligned with the NDC’s political strategy for the 2024 elections. A confidential document titled “Winning 2024 And Beyond”, prepared by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2021, was leaked into the public domain and came to our attention in December 2022.
This document outlines the NDC’s strategy for the 2024 elections, and it is becoming increasingly evident that Organised Labour is following this politically motivated plan.
Over the past weeks, we have seen Organised Labour embark on a number of actions including threatening a national strike and vocalising strong opinions on the issue of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey). Interestingly, this newfound activism comes on issues they have largely been silent on for years. It is highly questionable that they have only found their voice with two months to go before the election, especially on an issue as critical as galamsey.
It must be stated that the government has made considerable efforts over the last seven years to tackle illegal mining, taking decisive actions to safeguard our environment and the future of our natural resources. These actions including passing legislation with stiffer punishments, prosecuting offenders including the famous galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who committed crimes during Mahama’s administration and was never arrested, using the military to seize and destroy property used for galamsey, etc. Through all these efforts, Organised Labour was silent.
Moreover, Organised Labour has conveniently ignored the significant concessions made by the government during its recent meeting with the President, which were aimed at resolving these concerns. Despite these efforts, it is evident that Organised Labour’s current actions are politically charged, aimed at destabilising the government, and fuelled by the NDC’s strategy as outlined in the leaked document.
We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians and members of the various unions under Organised Labour to reject any attempt to politicise the fight against galamsey. This is a national issue that transcends party politics. The future of our environment, livelihoods, and communities depends on us coming together to fight illegal mining as one united front. All hands must be on deck to combat this menace and ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources.
Let us put the interests of Ghana first and stop using galamsey as a political tool.
Signed,
Salam Mustapha
National Youth Organizer
New Patriotic Party
-BY Daniel Bampoe