Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has expressed strong support for organised labour’s decision to proceed with their planned strike, scheduled for October 10. In a candid interview with 3FM’s Beatrice Adu on Midday Live on October 4, Cudjoe criticised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s handling of labour grievances, accusing the president of indifference.
Cudjoe’s comments follow President Akufo-Addo’s recent appeal for labour leaders to delay their strike, with assurances that their concerns would be addressed. However, Cudjoe dismissed the president’s request, arguing that any delay at this point would be futile.
“It would be extremely unwise for organised labour to pull back now. Pull back for how many days for the President to do what? This is the same President who boasted he would deal with this issue. I don’t think the President cares anymore; he stopped caring a long time ago,” Cudjoe remarked.
The IMANI Africa president highlighted the urgency of addressing issues like illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which continues to devastate Ghana’s natural resources. According to him, the government’s inaction on critical national matters has further eroded confidence in its ability to resolve the concerns of organised labour.
Cudjoe suggested that a more decisive step in handling the illegal mining crisis would be the immediate issuance of a moratorium—a temporary halt on all illegal mining activities, particularly in protected areas like forests and reserves.
“A moratorium would be useful in the reserves and forests where this illegal mining is happening. We’re not asking for a total ban—just a one-month suspension to clear out the illegal miners. But will it happen? No,” he said, casting doubt on the government’s willingness to take such actions.
Cudjoe concluded that organised labour’s strike would send a stronger message than mere promises or delayed negotiations, and he urged labour leaders not to back down from their planned course of action.
