Leader of the Union Government, Akwasi Addai Odike, has stated that among all the methods used to combat illegal mining (galamsey), there must be a nationwide strike by the citizens.
He proposed that is the best way to push President John Mahama since he has refused to heed to the calls for a State of Emergency on the practice.
In a panel discussion on the Angel Morning Show (AMS), on Monday, October 13, 2025, he explained that galamsey is now an existential threat to Ghana; therefore, if President John Mahama does not declare a State of Emergency, all the forests and water bodies will be destroyed further.
“If there is no nation there can’t be a meaningful employment,” he said, emphasising the call of a State of Emergency on the practice.
He added that President Mahama should implement Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) which prohibits all miners from operating in the forests reserve if he truly wants to preserve the environement
This, he stressed, there should be an industrial strike until the activities of illegal mining is combated.
“All other identifiable groups should support and embark on industrial strike until we realize that all our water bodies are safe and no one is found at galamsey sites,” Odike said.
He also expressed that he had been “happy if Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) holds a press conference to inform President Mahama on a sit down strike if he does not declare state of emergency.”
According to Odike, the President Mahama adamant on taking decisive actions to stop the practice stemmed from his topmost prority to personally make money from the export of gold.
