Organised Labour on May May underscored its confidence in the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to steer the country out of poverty and hopelessness to a path of great future full of hope and prosperity.
Workers consequently pledged support to the government and invited it to partner with labour and business, to expedite the country’s growth and create decent jobs.
Addressing the 2017 May Day national parade in Accra on the theme “Ghana @60: Mobilizing for Ghana’s Future through the creation of Decent Jobs”, Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress on behalf of Organised Labour enumerated a number of challenges facing Ghanaians and said many are merely enduring life because they lack the basic necessities to enjoy it.
But he said it is not too late to start building a great future full of hope and prosperity for ourselves, our children and our children’s children and enlisted the president to lead the charge.
“Mr. President, we are counting on you to lead us into this future. We in organized labour will like to pledge our support for you and your government, together with businesses, in the true spirit of tripartism and social partnership, guided by the principles of mutual respect. We can achieve faster growth and create decent jobs for Ghanaians. We believe that you can lead us out of poverty and restore hope to all Ghanaians.”
He said restoring hope requires that decent jobs are created for Ghanaians and revitalizing all sectors including agriculture and manufacturing. He explained that the textile industry for instance, can create thousands of jobs for the youth across the country.
“That is why we have pledged support for all your initiatives, Mr. President, and we are committed to supporting your one district one factory, one village one dam, small business development, planting for food and jobs, national entrepreneurship and innovation programmes. We commit ourselves to work with you to achieve all what you have planned for Ghana.
“With these assurances Mr. President, we trust that government will quickly start engaging with Organised Labour on all these issues affecting the working people of Ghana and their families. We believe that we can achieve a lot together through social dialogue. We are already witnessing positive developments in the economic management in the last four months. Inflation and interest rates are declining, the Ghana cedi is regaining its value, we have to work together as social partners to consolidate and sustain these gains.”
Labour also commended the president for “the decision to end the IMF sponsored programme”, saying that “Ghana can develop without IMF programmes.”
Dr. Yaw Baah said Labour has many issues to discuss with the president and his government – including the franchising of the Electricity Company of Ghana, need to sustain the peace at the labour front, logistical support for labour administration institutions, low wages, low pensions, abuse of workers’ rights, occupational health and safety, and the fight against illegal mining.
He also singled out the Prisons and mental health institutions as two bodies needing critical and urgent support, saying there is need for conditions in prisons to reflect the country as a civilized one.
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