Julius Debrah
Local Government Workers Union (LGWU) has called on Ghanaians to see the Sanitation Day programme as a national duty, which requires all citizens to adopt a positive outlook towards improved sanitation this year and beyond.
The union observed that such an important national exercise instituted by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) towards a healthy environment for national progress should not be undermined through apathy.
‘As a labour organization, we wish to call on all employees of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to actively participate in the National Sanitation Programme, because poor sanitation comes with a health cost through the outbreak of preventable diseases, like cholera which invariably affects productivity.’
The Local Government Workers Union disclosed this in its New Year message signed by the General Secretary, Joe Boahen to stakeholders in the local government service, especially workers of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, other decentralized agencies and Ghanaians in general.
The LGWU expressed its support for all efforts by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure that food vendors conduct their activities in hygienic places so that the risk of contracting cholera and related ailments can be reduced.
The LGWU leadership again called on the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through the Sector Minister, to expedite action on engaging graduates from Ghana’s three Schools of Hygiene who are currently at home.
‘It is our expectation that engaging the services of the graduates of the Schools of Hygiene can help immensely in ensuing improved sanitation in the towns and villages.’
The union urged the Environmental Sanitation Service Providers to come up with innovative measures that will inculcate in Ghanaians the culture of waste segregation.
‘Proper waste segregation and management to generate revenue should be given priority in 2015.’
Conditions of service
The leadership of the LGWU assured members who continue to suffer due to the double deduction of dues and funds as a result of the activities of CLOGSAG that the issue will be pursued in 2015 towards a lasting solution.
2nd tier occupational pension fund management
The LGWU further cautioned against any unilateral action by government on the second tier pension fund management.
‘What we pray for is an understanding to ensure that the government sits down with the workers’ unions for a solution that will serve the best interest of the contributors. The mistrust and suspicion surrounding the management of the second tier occupational pension fund is not healthy for industrial harmony.’
Energy Crisis
The statement acknowledged the heavy toll the energy crisis was having on all aspects of national life and therefore appealed to the government to pool all resources together to find a lasting solution to the energy problem.
‘As a nation, we cannot risk playing politics with the energy problem, because the impact on socio-economic growth cannot be taken for granted.’
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