The Western Region Chairperson of the Trades Union Congress, Shirley Breiman is urging government to expedite action to complete the PTC interchange in Takoradi.
Highlighting some challenges facing workers in the region at the May Day celebration, she pointed out the region’s poor roads as a major issue.
Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has emphasized that achieving common growth requires collaborative efforts from government, employers, organized labor, and civil society.
It was a beautiful scene as workers in the Western Region gathered to celebrate May Day.
TUC Chairperson Shirley Breiman highlighted challenges facing workers, citing the region’s poor roads as a major issue, and urged the Western Regional Minister to prioritize completing the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout, also known as the PTC interchange which was part of the Sinohydro projects and a major infrastructure in the Western Region.
“We urge the Western Regional Minister to expedite action on the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (PTC Interchange). We would be grateful if you could utilize your office to ensure the contractors resume work on-site. Furthermore, we call on the government, employers, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue to implement policies addressing our demands.”
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson while acknowledging the need for urgent action to reset pay and working conditions in Ghana also assured that government is committed to restoring hope and confidence among workers by ensuring job security and better conditions.
He also emphasized that while government aims for fairness and transparency, employers, organized labor, and civil society have crucial roles to play in achieving common growth.
“Our Galant workers, let me seize this opportunity to assure you that H. E John Mahama is indeed here to restore hope and confidence in the economy for secured jobs and better working conditions. Our Economic Policy document known by many as the 2024 Manifesto, “Resetting Ghana,” clearly outlines transformative measures aimed at restoring dignity to the Ghanaian worker”.
“We are committed to Implementing a Living Wage Policy, expanding social protection schemes to reach the informal sector workers, strengthening institutions like the National Labour Commission to resolve disputes more swiftly and fairly, deepening tripartite engagement and promoting workplace inclusivity, ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized groups are not left behind,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the Trades Union Congress and organized labor are advocating for their inclusion in Regional Security Council (RESEC) meetings.
Richard Hanson is the Acting Regional Secretary of TUC Ghana for the Western and Western North regions.
“As the majority of Ghana’s working population falls under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), we believe our inclusion in the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would promote peace in the workplace. This would enable us to discuss labour issues at the RESEC level, allowing security agencies to be aware and address them before escalation. Although the law doesn’t mandate TUC representation on REGSEC, we urge the Minister to exercise discretion and include TUC in the REGSEC team,” he requested.
The May Day celebration, themed “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders,” was used to honour deserving workers from various institutions.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
