Prof. Ransford Gyampo, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) University of Ghana chapter, has declared that labour unions will cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 general elections based on “hunger and anger.”
This declaration follows a plea from former President John Mahama for a ‘honeymoon’ period if he secures victory, urging trade and labor groups to grant him time to implement necessary measures.
Prof. Gyampo strongly criticized the lavish lifestyles of current leaders, asserting that achieving the ‘honeymoon’ appeal would be impossible if such extravagance persists.
He emphasized the need for labor conditions to be addressed regardless of the election outcome.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Prof. Gyampo suggested that a reduction in the opulent lifestyles of politicians could garner more support from labor unions.
He emphasized that the next president should consider sacrificing or minimizing the luxuries enjoyed by today’s politicians to meet labor halfway.
“Labour will vote based on hunger and anger. Whoever emerges victorious must do something, I’m telling you. If the kind of luxury the politicians of today enjoy or live in is sacrificed or reduced a little, you can meet labour halfway through,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo proposed implementing stringent economic policies aimed at reducing the government’s budget deficit, impacting everyone in the country, including the less privileged.
“Let the austerity measures be implemented such that they affect everybody from the presidency level to the daily-rated employee of the land. If we all are made to go through the austerity measures, then if the leader says tighten your belt and we see the leader has tightened his belt, we will all follow suit,” he added.