By Eric Crentsil
In a bold effort to reclaim Africa’s mineral wealth for the benefit of its people, the African Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth (AFMMW) is fostering stronger collaboration among trade unions across the continent. The Federation, which brings together unions such as the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) and the General Trade Union of Mines, Quarries, Salinas, and Energy Workers of Egypt (GTUMQSEW), aims to unite Africa’s mining workforce to stop the exploitation of the continent’s resources by foreign powers.
From September 25th to 30th, 2024, the Egyptian delegation from GTUMQSEW will meet its counterpart in Ghana to further advance the Federation’s objectives. “As trade unions in Africa, we recognise that there is much more we should be doing with our mineral resources,” said Abdul Moomin Gbana, General Secretary of GMWU. “For too long, the global North has exploited our resources at our expense. This must change, and the African Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth is the vehicle through which we will transform our mining industry.”
The AFMMW, headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, was formed as a direct response to the systemic inequality that has left Africa rich in minerals but poor in development. It seeks to address the imbalance by ensuring that Africa processes its minerals locally, adding value and creating jobs for its people. Mr. Gbana added, “We have come together to say enough is enough. It is time for Africa to take control of its resources. Our Federation is determined to ensure that our minerals benefit our people, not foreign interests.”
The Federation has brought together mining trade unions from countries such as Zimbabwe, Mali, Tanzania, Namibia, and South Africa, with a leadership structure that is evenly distributed across the continent. “The head office is in Egypt, but we have representatives from all key mining countries. This demonstrates that we mean business,” Gbana stated. “Our goal is to change the narrative, and we will do so by uniting as Africans. The era of exploitation by the global North is ending.”
Mr. Nageh Gomaa Hassan Eissa, General Secretary of GTUMQSEW, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for Africa to retain control over its raw materials. “Our aim is to produce and manufacture our mineral resources right here in Africa,” he said. “We don’t want foreign investors to take our raw materials, process them in their countries, and sell them back to us at inflated prices. This is our major goal, and with strong collaboration across the continent, we will achieve it.”
Mr. Eissa also revealed that the AFMMW plans to hold an African conference, bringing together union leaders and mining companies to sign protocols that will further solidify their goals. “We will sign agreements between African companies and trade unions to ensure our wealth stays in Africa,” he noted. “We believe that with unity, we can build a prosperous future for African workers.”
In support of this, the Federation aims to establish training and resource-sharing programs between unions, to build capacity and exchange ideas on best practices. “The most important thing for us is to exchange visions because we are brothers, we are Africans,” Eissa added.
Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in a meeting with the delegation highlighted the urgency of the Federation’s mission. “Our leadership has failed us, but as unions, we have a responsibility to rise up and fight for the rights of workers across the continent,” he stated. “We cannot sit idly by while the wealth generated by our labour benefits everyone but us. It’s time we held our governments accountable for the mismanagement of our mineral resources.”
Ansah further urged African unions to take control of their destiny, stating, “No one will fight for us unless we fight for ourselves. The extractive industry has exploited us for too long, but through unity and action, we can change this. If we want to sustain our economy and secure a future for our workers, we must use the right tools and work together to demand the rightful share of our resources.”
He ended with a rallying cry: “We must rise up to the occasion and ensure that the Federation’s vision becomes a reality. If we stand together, I am confident that we will overcome and build a better future for all African workers.”
The delegation from the General Trade Union of Mines, Quarries, Salinas and Energy Workers of Egypt are, Mr Nageh Gomaa Hassan Eissa, General Secretary, along with Executive Members Kamel Mohamed Fawzy Sherif Khedr, Ashraf Shehata Mohamed Abouzeid, and Farouk Mohamed Mohamed Ali Elnaggar.
