The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, together with the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has petitioned the Bank of Ghana (BoG) over more than GH¢350 million in funds belonging to about 19,000 mineworkers that have remained inaccessible since 2019.
More than 300 mineworkers marched to the central bank on Thursday, August 20, to present the petition and demand urgent action to recover the funds.
The workers say their money has been locked up in financial institutions regulated by the Bank of Ghana following challenges within some of the institutions.
Mineworkers demand release of funds
Presenting the petition, General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, Abdul-Moomin Gbana, accused the Bank of Ghana of failing to adequately protect the interests of workers whose savings remain inaccessible.
He said the union was demanding the recovery of the full amount owed to its members and their families.
“We are demanding all our locked-up funds, in excess of GH¢350 million, belonging to 19,000 members and their families. We are demanding every penny from the Bank of Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Gbana argued that the central bank has a responsibility under its enabling legislation to protect the interests of depositors and called for immediate action to resolve the matter.
TUC backs mineworkers’ petition
The Secretary-General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, also joined the mineworkers in calling on the Bank of Ghana and government to intervene.
He stressed that the workers had the backing of the country’s main labor umbrella organization in their demand for the recovery of the funds.
“The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, you are not here alone. You are here with the umbrella body, the TUC, and we are asking the Bank of Ghana and the government of the country to do the needful,” he said.
BoG promises to consider concerns
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Bank of Ghana, the central bank’s Head of Legal assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be considered.
He said the Bank of Ghana remained committed to maintaining financial stability and would study the petition.
“The Bank of Ghana remains committed to the financial stability of the economy. We will study your petition and address your concerns,” he said.
The Mineworkers’ Union is demanding a swift resolution, arguing that affected workers and their families have waited several years to regain access to their funds.
