By Iddi Yire

Accra, May 01, GNA – The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has appealed to the Government for a total reset of the pay regime to reflect current economic conditions in the country. 

This is because the Ghanaian worker continues to bear the burden of the recent economic crisis, including the rising cost of living, inflationary shocks, and declining real incomes. 

Mr. Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General of the TUC, noted that for many households, the gap between incomes and basic survival needs had become wider; but even before the current economic crisis, they had all known about the very low wages and salaries and poor working conditions in Ghana.  

The Secretary-General said this year’s May Day Celebration theme, “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders,” speaks directly to the critical moment they face as a nation and as workers.  

He said it was a call for transformation — not only in how “we value labour, but also in how they shape the future of work, wages, and welfare of the Ghanaian worker.  

“Our minimum wage (GHS19.97) is only $1.28 for eight hours of work. A significant proportion of the workforce is paid below this amount.”  

“The minimum pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure is only GHS741 or $47.51 per month. Compared to the international poverty line of $58, both minimum wage earners and those who earn the base pay are languishing in poverty,” Mr. Ansah noted, adding that compared to the prevailing cost of living, Ghanaian workers and their families are struggling to survive.  

Mr. Ansah said the wage landscape in Ghana was also characterized by very large inequities that were hard to explain or justify.  

He underscored that they had become aware of the huge gap in pay and benefits between the political class grouped under Article 71 and the rest of public sector workers subsisting on the Single Spine Salary Structure. 

He said even more obscene was the pay differential between the State-Owned Enterprises and parastatals on one hand and the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). 

He said it was a scandal that some Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state entities paid from public funds had rent allowances that were three times more than the salaries of their highest paid public servants on the Single Spine Salary Structure.  

He reiterated that it was obvious that Ghanaian workers could not reset with this low pay levels.  

“We cannot reset amid this high level of pay disparities. It is energy-sapping and demotivating to say the least. Mr. President, we demand a total reset of the pay regime in Ghana,” he said. 

He noted that the current framework for wage determination was no longer fit for purpose, and it does not sufficiently reflect the prevailing cost of living and basic needs of workers and their families.  

“We demand a fair and transparent wage setting mechanism anchored on credible economic indicators — including food inflation, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education among others,” Mr. Ansah stressed. 

“We must replace the current minimum wage with a living wage that considers the needs of workers and their families as well as productivity concerns of employers.” 

He said workers and their families must live in dignity and security; declaring that that was the only way they could be reasonably expected to make contribution to the resetting agenda.  

He called on the President to bequeath the nation a living wage structure, emphasising that, “Mr. President, it must be said that in the four years that you were President from 2025 to 2029, Ghana adopted a living wage; and in that same period as part of the broader resetting agenda, the review of the Single Spine Pay Policy was completed, Article 71 was abolished and pay in the public sector was harmonized.” 

He said that, in the next four years under President Mahama’s leadership, they would together install a Broad-Banded Integrated Pay Structure to accommodate all public sector jobholders. 

GNA 

BM

By Iddi Yire

Accra, May 1, GNA – Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General, Ghana Trades Union Congress, has on behalf of Organized Labour, congratulated President John Dramani Mahama on his massive electoral victory in the December 7, 2024 election and his spectacular comeback.  

“It is a clear testament of the overwhelming confidence the Ghanaian people have in you and your party,” Mr Ansah said in his remarks at the 2025 May Day National Parade at the Blackstar Square in Accra. 

“We believe this renewed mandate presents a unique opportunity to advance an inclusive, fair, and people-centred national agenda — one that places decent work and social justice at its core.” 

The Secretary-General said this year’s May Day Celebration on the theme: “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders,” spoke directly to the critical moment being faced as a nation and as workers.  

He said it was a call for transformation — not only in how we value labour, but also in how they shape the future of work, wages, and welfare of the Ghanaian worker. 

Mr Ansah said the last few months, workers and Ghanaians had witnessed the outdooring of one committee/initiative or the other on various issues of national importance; from the Constitutional 

Review Committee, GoldBoard, Ministerial Committee on ECG privatisation to Labour Export Programme.  

He said the unique thing about these Committees and Initiatives was the virtual exclusion of Organised Labour.  

He said additionally, they all could see the haste with which some of the initiatives were being rushed through.  

Mr Ansah said the TUC expected this to change and that their involvement would enrich the work of the Committees and of the initiatives.  

“It will also prevent us from deploying the “other tools” of industrial relations.  

We must not prioritize speed over substance,” he said. 

“We are confident in your commitment to social dialogue and inclusive governance.  

“We trust that under your leadership, the labour front will see renewed attention and thoughtful reforms that reflect the spirit of fairness and social justice.” 

Mr Ansah said this year should mark the beginning to reset the system in favour of dignity, equity, and shared prosperity.  

“Let us work together — government, employers, and labour — to build a Ghana where every worker earns a decent wage, lives a decent life, and looks to the future with hope,” he said. 

GNA  

CA/

By Iddi Yire

Accra, May 1, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaian workers that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will not be privitised. 

He said the Company had been brought to its knees by a culture of poor governance over the last eight years under the previous Government, with debt of GH¢68 billion and rising. 

“If we do not do something drastic, whole power sector will collapse. We can only bring down power tariffs if we improve efficiency in the distribution of power. Let me assure you that it is not my intention to privatize the ECG as an institution,” President Mahama said in his May Day address to the nation at the Blackstar Square in Accra. 

“Our attention is more a public private collaboration to inject efficiency into our downstream electricity distribution system. Now I say, it will not be the first time, it has been done before.” 

President Mahama said during his first tenure as President, in the Free Zones Enclave, a private company, Enclave Power was given the rights of metering and billing in the Free Zones, while ECG was paid for  the bulk supply of power it provided to the Company. 

He said till today, Enclave Power still paid the ECG monthly on time for every power supplied to them for distribution to consumers. 

He said Enclave Power’s billing and collection of tariffs in the Free Zones Enclave was 99 per cent of revenue it collected. 

“This is an existing example and I am sure that we can make our electricity distribution more efficient through public private partnership,” the President said. 

“But I can assure you and read my lips for emphasis, Electricity Company as an institution will not be privatized.” 

President Mahama assured all Ghanaian workers that government appreciated their contributions, and would ensure the realisation of their dreams.  

“Let’s leave this May Day not only with hope in our work but with purpose in our hearts. Let’s move forward as one people, workers and government, unions and employers, public and private, united in our mission to build the Ghana that we want, our efforts to protect our people and inspire the next generation,” the President said. 

“The work ahead is great but so is the strength of the Ghanaian worker. And with that strength, there is nothing we cannot achieve.” 

On his part, Mr Joshua Ansah, the Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on behalf of Organized Labour, congratulated President Mahama on massive electoral victory and spectacular comeback; saying “It is a clear testament of the overwhelming confidence the Ghanaian people have in you and your party.” 

He said this year’s May Day theme, “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders,” spoke directly to the critical moment being faced as a nation and as workers.  

He noted that it was a call for transformation — not only in how they value labour, but also in how they shape the future of work, wages, and welfare of the Ghanaian worker.  

”We are confident in your commitment to social dialogue and inclusive governance. We trust that under your leadership, the labour front will see renewed attention and thoughtful reforms that reflect the spirit of fairness and social justice,” Mr Ansah said. 

GNA 

CA/

CEO of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, has raised concerns over the use of loans secured for the rehabilitation of cocoa farms affected by diseases.

A loan of 263 million dollars was contracted for the rehabilitation of 156000 hectares of cocoa farms.

But only 40000 hectares were completed at the time of taking over affairs at COCOBOD.

“If we had successfully done this 156000 hectares, it would have contributed up to 200000 tonnes to our production; we took all this money, and all we have to show is just 40000 hectares completed,” he lamented.

Dr. Abbey spoke at a meeting with farmers at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.

According to the COCOBOD CEO, the decision for rehabilitation was made due to the infestation of about 40 per cent of cocoa farms by diseases.

It prompted managers of the COCOBOD at the time to rehabilitate the farms, a move applauded by the new managers.

Dr. Randy Abbey revealed that GHS700 million more was invested in the project.

He says the matter has since been referred to the appropriate quarters for investigations.

“There are agencies responsible for the investigation of these things. I am saddened by what has happened because it was the golden opportunity to turn things around in the sector,” he said.

In ensuring cocoa production in the country is increased, the company is working to put 21000 hectares into rehabilitation.

The CEO is committed towards ensuring its success.

“We have left some in the bush, and that is what I am trying to go and work on them and be able to hand them over so we can add them to the productive stock of farms we have,” he added.

According to the COCOBOD, the new administration came to office to meet road contracts worth GHS 21 billion signed, with existing debts of GHS4.4 billion.

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The Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, has assured cocoa farmers of plans to enact laws to protect cocoa trees.

The farmers have revealed that their farms continue to be threatened by illegal mining and other commercial use of land.

Dr. Abbey, in an engagement with farmers, said new laws will make it difficult for cocoa trees to be destroyed.

“Cocoa must be protected, and it is one of the assurances the president gave the farmers when he met them at the Jubilee House. We need to sit with the Attorney General’s Department so we can draft the necessary documents to get parliament to approve this,” he said.

He spoke at a May Day event where the COCOBOD met farmers in the Ashanti Region.

According to the COCOBOD, existing laws on cocoa farms are weak, unable to protect farms from destruction.

These laws were enacted decades ago; hence, the inability to bite in modern times.

Meanwhile, the COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer has indicated preparedness to boost the sector.

He appealed for the support of the farmers in the implementation of his plans to increase cocoa production.

“We need to steer the affairs of COCOBOD to bring it from where it finds itself. It requires a lot of hard hardwork, dedication and discipline. That we can assure the farmers that we will do,” he added.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

By Eric Appah Marfo 

Accra, May 1, GNA – Mr. Bernard Owusu, Chairman of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has urged the government to implement a comprehensive living wage policy that prioritises dignity and fairness for workers.   

“We must adopt a living wage—wages that respect our dignity—for compensation and not 

exploitation. A living wage for a living life,” he said.   

Mr. Owusu made the call in a welcome address at the 2025 National May Day celebration at Black Star Square in Accra.   

The event, held on the themed “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders,” brought together over 30 union groups and companies from both private and public sectors.   

It was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, government officials, and National Democratic Congress members.   

Mr. Owusu described May Day as a symbol of solidarity, celebrating workers’ victories, particularly the establishment of the 8-hour workday.   

He expressed concern over worsening wages and pensions, citing inflation and systemic inequality.   

The TUC Chairman called for the unification of public sector pay and pensions to eliminate disparities and recommended the establishment of an independent employment commission.   

He urged President Mahama to advance social partnerships to address challenges faced by workers and employers.   

Mr. Owusu cautioned workers against allowing political differences to overshadow their shared struggles.   

“We must remember that we are workers first, not politicians. Political fights rise and fall every eight years at most, but our journey as workers spans three to four decades of our lives.”   

Mr. Owusu stressed the need for unity, saying, “We must rise above divisions and hold fast to the principles that have carried workers through the ages—that united we stand, united we fight as workers. We must unite for fairness because only stronger together can we push for the change we deserve.”   

He raised concerns over mass terminations in the public sector and called for the reinstating of unfairly dismissed workers.   

On illegal mining, he urged the government to revoke Legislative Instrument 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, to prioritise environmental protection.   

Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, congratulated President Mahama on his electoral victory, expressing hope that his mandate would foster fair, people-centered policies anchored on decent work and social justice.   

He decried wage disparities across sectors, noting that while some chief executives earn allowances three times higher than the highest-paid public servants, most workers earn below the poverty line.   

Mr. Ansah proposed replacing the minimum wage with a living wage that accounts for housing, healthcare, education, and transportation costs.   

“We must replace the current human wage with a living wage that considers the needs of workers and their families, as well as productivity concerns of employers. Workers and their families must live in dignity and security,” he said.   

He praised the living wage and pay harmonisation efforts initiated during President Mahama’s previous administration, calling for continuity.   

The Secretary-General criticised Ghana’s pension system as inequitable, citing delayed contributions, mismanagement of second-tier schemes, and government interference in pension fund boards.   

He urged timely payment of contributions, stricter oversight of second-tier schemes, and greater worker control over pension fund management.   

Mr. Ansah also lamented the challenges of unionisation in private sector workplaces, particularly foreign-owned companies, citing the dismissal of workers from Southern SMEs who joined the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union.   

He accused employment agencies of complicity in labour abuses, including wage theft, lack of social security registration, and unsafe working conditions.   

Mr. Ansah linked these challenges to weakened labour institutions, including the underfunded Ministry of Labour and the overburdened National Labour Commission.   

“In your first budget, Mr. President, you have allocated GHC95 million to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment. Less than the amount you have earmarked to pay allowances to Assemblymen and Unions.”   

“Mr. President, government must consider reversing upward the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment. The industrial relations seem to be quite peaceful. But it will not be sustainable unless we work together as cooperative partners to keep the peace,” he added.   

He cautioned against the proposed privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), arguing it would worsen hardships for Ghanaians already struggling with high tariffs.  

The TUC commended the government for refusing to renew Abu Dhabi Coalface Ltd’s mining lease and called for a review of Ghana’s mining fiscal regime to maximise national benefits.   

On labour laws, the union urged swift reform of the Labour Act (Act 651) to close loopholes and enhance worker protections.   

Mr. Ansah expressed concern over the exclusion of unions from national policy committees and called for their involvement in all key decision-making processes.   

He urged Ghana to ratify ILO Convention C-190 to combat gender-based violence in the workplace and thanked the National Labour Planning Committee for organising a successful May Day celebration.   

The celebration ended with a march by workers’ unions, who displayed banners and placards highlighting their concerns, hoping for the President’s intervention. 

GNA 

KAS

By Gifty Amofa

Accra, May 1, GNA – The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will resume the release of soldiers who have completed their authorised 30 years of service in May 2025.   

“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to formally announce to the general public, that it will resume general releases of Soldiers who have completed their authorised years of service in accordance with GAF regulations,” a statement issued by Captain Veronica Arhin (Ghana Navy), Acting Director General Public Relations of GAF, stated.   

It noted that the general release of soldiers had been suspended for five years in line with CI 129, which extended their terms of service.   

Consequently, the first batch after the five-year suspension would be released in May 2025.   

“This will involve the honourable release of distinguished personnel of the 1995- and 1996-year groups after successfully completing 30 years of meritorious service or having fully attained the compulsory retirement age in line with GAF Regulations,” the statement said.   

Subsequent releases will continue as other year groups complete their service.   

“GAF acknowledges and appreciates the sacrifices, professionalism, and loyalty demonstrated by members of these year groups throughout their careers,” it said.   

The GAF highlighted their dedication to duty, even under challenging conditions, in safeguarding national sovereignty and stability.   

“On the international front, these gallant men and women contributed immensely to global peace, and security which enhanced our dear nation’s reputation in numerous international peacekeeping missions under the umbrella of the United Nations or the African Union,” it added.   

The statement said Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff, expressed gratitude on behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of GAF for their selfless service to the military and the country.   

He also acknowledged the support of their families and wished them success in their future endeavours. 

GNA 

KAS

By Iddi Yire

Accra, May 01, GNA – The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern about the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, following three petitions calling for her removal from office. 

Mr. Joshua Ansah, TUC Secretary-General, urged President John Dramani Mahama to hasten slowly and cautiously on the matter. 

Speaking at the 2025 National May Day Parade held at the Black Star Square, in Accra, Mr. Ansah said Organised Labour had been following events surrounding the President’s suspension of the Chief Justice.  

“We have read bits and pieces of the petitions seeking the removal of the Chief Justice,” he said.  

Mr. Ansah said Organised Labour was gravely concerned about this development.  

“Mr. President, this process we have just begun sets the country and our democracy on a dangerous slippery slope from which we may not recover,” he said. 

“We advise, Mr. President that you hasten slowly and cautiously on this matter. Your decision on this matter will be consequential for our democracy.” 

Touching on the May Day Celebration, Mr. Ansah said this year’s May Day Celebration theme, “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders,” speaks directly to the critical moment they face as a nation and as workers.  

He said it was a call for transformation — not only in how we value labour, but also in how they shape the future of work, wages, and welfare of the Ghanaian worker. 

GNA  

BM

The Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Dr. Yussif Sulemana, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition as a Technical Advisor, this portal has confirmed.

Dr. Sulemana’s appointment as TOR MD came in February 2025, succeeding Kofi Tagoe Mocumbi, who held the role under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.

His reassignment marks another leadership change in a refinery that has seen multiple heads in recent years.

Despite various efforts, TOR’s revival attempts under the previous administration were largely unfruitful, drawing continuous public and industry scrutiny.

Read Also: ECG and GRIDCO apologise for system disturbance that has cut power supply to parts of the country

Following his reassignment, TOR’s Deputy Managing Director, Edmond Kombat, has been appointed as Acting MD, tasked with steering the organization during this transition period.

The attention of the management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited has been drawn to media publications and discussions on various social media platforms about its contract with the Youth Employment Agency.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday addressed a durbar of workers during the 2025 May Day celebrations at the Black Star Square in Accra, where thousands of employees participated in the exercise.

The programme, organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), was under the theme ‘Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders’.

Workers from the public and private sectors represented their organisations in the annual march past.

During the event, some of the companies used the opportunity to display their products and services, while some workers carried placards to draw attention to their plight.

In attendance were the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; the Employment and Labour Minister, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo; and the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

play videoA photo of some participants exploring Accra’s heritage on GTDC’s night tour

The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) has showcased Accra’s vibrant nightlife in a landmark guided tour, as part of efforts to highlight the cultural, historical, and creative heartbeat of the capital after dark.

The night tour, held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, offered participants a rare experience of Accra’s colonial past, lively street scenes, and iconic monuments.

Tour guides provided insights into the evolution of several neighborhoods, including British and Dutch Accra, explaining how these areas still reflect remnants of European colonial architecture.

“The old Accra consists of two main parts: British Accra and Dutch Accra,” a guide explained.

“Currently, by geographical location, we are in Dutch Accra, driving toward British Accra. You can tell from the buildings around here that many are very old, most are over 400 to 500 years old.”

Participants also visited the first post office in Accra, established when the capital moved from Cape Coast, as well as key landmarks such as Independence Square, which includes the Black Star Square, the Independence Arch, and Nationalism Park.

Watch the video below:

JKB/MA

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