GMA Warns Mahama
2 days ago
GMA Has No Moral Authority to Threaten Government Over Galamsey – Abraham Koomson
September 21, 2025
The General Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has criticised the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for threatening to vote out politicians who fail to stop illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, Koomson said the GMA lacks the moral authority to issue such warnings, arguing that the association previously backed away when organised labour pushed for stronger environmental protections.
“They withdrew their support when labour needed them the most in the fight against environmental degradation. Now they are threatening government? They have no moral right,” Koomson stated.
The GMA recently announced plans to intensify advocacy against galamsey, warning that communities would hold politicians accountable at the ballot box if the menace persists.
Koomson, however, contended that meaningful change requires collective action from all professional groups, not isolated ultimatums. He urged the medical body to work collaboratively with labour unions, civil society, and local communities to present a united front.
He further called on government agencies to strictly enforce mining regulations and provide alternative livelihoods for those involved in illegal mining, stressing that sustainable solutions must go beyond political pressure.
Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, polluting rivers and destroying farmlands. The debate over how best to tackle galamsey continues to spark strong reactions from labour unions, health professionals, and environmental activists alike.
