Workers celebrate May Day with parades

This year’s International Workers’ Day was marked with parades of workers unions across the country. It was celebrated on the theme:

“Sustainable Development Goals and Decent Work: the Role of Social Partners.”

Central Region

From the Central Region, Gilbert Mawuli Agbey reports that the regional celebration which took place at Breman Asikuma, the capital of the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District, was heralded with a procession of workers unions through the principal streets of the town.

In his address, the Central Regional Minister, Mr Kwamena Duncan, urged workers to improve their attitude to work and see their jobs as their own to help move the nation forward.

The Central Regional Secretary of the TUC, Madam Cynthia Maame Aba Sam Ananoo, charged the government to manage the economy properly and prevent it from going for a bailout from the IMF since the policies of the international body were not in the interest of the country.

The Omanhene of the Breman Traditional Area, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, commended the government for the numerous initiatives established towards creating employment for the country’s youth.

Upper East Region

Alhandu Abdul-Hamid reports that the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Rockson Ayine Bukari, called on organised labour to work closely with the government to address challenges confronting labour. He mentioned the challenges as reduced productivity, indiscipline and the lack of integrity.

"We have to change our negative mindset about government business and begin to work like it were our own.

The District Chief Executive of Bongo, Mr Ayinbisa Peter Ayamga, expressed his gratitude to the executives of organised labour for hosting the celebration in the district, adding that the Ghana Tourism Authority had adjudged the district as the most peaceful in the region in 2017.

Northern Region

Mohammed Fugu reports from the Northern Region that over 500 unionised workers drawn from both public and private sector organisations converged on the Walewale Town Park in the West Mamprusi Municipality to mark this year’s May Day.

In his address, Mr Saeed, commended workers in the region for their hard work and dedication towards the growth of the region and the nation as a whole.

The Northern Regional Chairperson for the TUC, Madam Rebecca Yankson, stressed the need for the government to resource the various government departments across the country to boost productivity.

Volta Region

Kofi Atsivor reports from Ho in the Volta Region that various labour unions in the Volta Region converged on the Ho Jubilee Park to commemorate this year’s May Day event.

The celebration began with a float from the offices of the regional TUC Secretariat through the principal streets of Ho.

The Volta Regional Secretary of the TUC, Mr Elvis Van-Lare, delivered the National TUC General Secretary’s May Day address at the durbar while the Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, did same on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana.

Upper West Region

Emmanuel Modey reports that this year's Upper West Regional May Day celebration was marked in Wa.

The Assistant Chief Industrial Relations Officer of the Public Services Workers Union of TUC, Brother William Adii, won the overall award. He received a 32" television set and a certificate, while the rest received various prizes, including plaques, mobile phone sets, laptops and refrigerators.

Addressing the parade, the acting Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Issahaku Chinnia Amidu, assured the workers that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment to enable workers to work in comfort.

The Upper West Regional Secretary of the TUC, Mr George Mude, called on workers to work hard for increased productivity.

Greater Accra

Sebastian Syme reports that the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, asked employers to respect the provisions in the country’s labour laws and desist from frustrating their employees from forming or joining trade unions.

He deplored reports of abuse of workers’ rights, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, and incidents in the private sector where workers were burdened with indecent work, a situation which he described as an affront to their fundamental human rights.

Addressing the Greater Accra Regional May Day at the Black Star Square in Accra yesterday, Mr Ashitey expressed his concern regarding employers who resorted to several undemocratic tactics to place impediments in the way of workers.

The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, whose address was delivered on his behalf by the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the TUC, Ms Freda Stephanie Frimpong, appealed to the President to end the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and lead the country to take control of its natural resources.