Volta May Day Turns Demo


In the past, the workers held placards to educate the public on their activities, but last Thursday they protested against high cost of living, joblessness, poor conditions of service, continuous depreciation of the cedi against major currencies, high tariffs and taxes, among others.

The majority of workers employed creative ways to register their displeasure about the current economic crunch in the country.

They particularly displayed their placards when they march past the Regional Minister, Hellen Adwoa Ntoso and the Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Elvis S. Van-Lare.

The Deputy Regional Minister, Francis Ganyaglo, the Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Kwesi Aboagye and other dignitaries on the dais waved as the workers marched past.

They held placards, some of which read ‘President times are getting harder,’ ‘Reduce the tax burden on workers,’ ‘Globalization has failed; upsize jobs not downsize, create loot and share; ‘workers AbrƐ’ and ‘Determine meaningful and realistic minimum wage,’ ‘Increase salaries because fuel and other utilities have been increased,’ ‘Create decent jobs for the youth.’

An unnamed lady continuously marched past while speeches were being delivered.

She ignored the appeal of fellow workers and some ushers.

‘The economy is hard and when I am complaining you say I should stop,’ she told a fellow worker who attempted to persuade her to stop.

The Regional Secretary of the TUC, Elvis Van-Lare said, ‘Ghana’s economy has been seriously weakened, and the economy is not working for the majority of Ghanaians.’

He added that ‘one needs not be a Nobel laureate in economics to see that times are hard and getting harder for the ordinary Ghanaians. More so, the increase in VAT, utility tariffs, fuel prices, exchange controls, high inflation, and corruption are enough evidence.

As a result, it will serve no good if we remain in a state of denial.’

He therefore called on President John Dramani Mahama to ‘lead Ghanaians from poverty to prosperity.’

The Regional Minister, Hellen Adwoa Ntoso conceded that Ghanaians, including workers, were facing challenges.

He called on Ghanaians, particularly, workers to be patient with the President and collaborate with government to transform the economy.

She noted that the government had put a lot of measures in place to address the problems.

The event, which was under the theme, ‘Ghana’s Economy; A concern for all,’ was chaired by the Regional Chairman of the TUC and the District TEWU Chairman of South Tongu, Emmanuel E. O. Lamptey.

Outstanding workers were also awarded for their hard work.

From Fred Duodu, Ho ( [email protected] mailto:[email protected] )

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