The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) is warning it will demand any person who becomes President next year to steadfastly uphold workers’ demands, irrespective of the financial challenges the nation may face.
According to the Union, workers possess legal rights in Ghana, and these rights must be honored by the incoming administration after the general elections on December 7, 2024.
Labour’s warning is in response to former President John Dramani Mahama who claimed he is restraining himself from making promises due to the depletion of the country’s coffers during the Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking at a ‘Campus Connect’ event in Hohoe, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer acknowledged the financial strain, and urged for understanding in the early days of his potential presidency.
“This country is broke, and, so, we will beg you that when we come into office, give us a bit of a honeymoon. Let’s put things in place so that we bring the economy back onto its feet,” Mahama appealed.
He cautioned various teacher unions about their demands for allowances, pledging transparency in revealing the nation’s financial status in 2025.
The TUC in a terse response, however, warned whoever becomes president must be ready to meet workers and ensure their demands are met without any questions.
Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, asserted in an interview with TV3 on Monday January 16, “Let me state that in 2025, whoever becomes president of this very country must be ready to meet workers and ensure that workers’ demands are met without any questions.”
“Workers in this country, for 66 years after independence, have suffered and sacrificed a lot, and we think that anybody who wants to become the president must be ready to ensure that labor rights are not dealt with a child’s gloves; we are going to demand what is our right or what is good for us.”
In a related development, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) University of Ghana chapter, declared that labour unions will cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 general elections based on ‘hunger and anger.’
Prof. Gyampo criticized the lavish lifestyles of current leaders, asserting that achieving the ‘honeymoon’ appeal of former President Mahama would be impossible if such extravagance persists.
He emphasized the need for labor conditions to be addressed regardless of the election outcome.
He suggested that a reduction in the opulent lifestyles of politicians could garner more support from labor unions.
“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.