Workers demand early completion of Takoradi Interchange

The Western Region branch of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is urging government to expedite work on the PTC Interchange in Takoradi.

The chairperson, Shirley Breiman, highlighted challenges facing workers, citing the region’s poor roads as a major issue. She urged the Western Regional minister to prioritise the completion of the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout, also known as the PTC Interchange, which is part of the Sino Hydro projects and a major infrastructure in the Western region.

“We urge the Western regional minister to expedite work on the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (PTC Interchange). We would be grateful if you could utilise your office to ensure that the contractors resume work on-site. Furthermore, we call on the government, employers, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue to implement policies addressing our demands.”

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, while acknowledging the need for urgent action to reset pay and working conditions in Ghana, also assured that government was committed to restoring hope and confidence among workers by ensuring job security and better conditions.

He also emphasized that while government aimed for fairness and transparency, employers, organized labour and civil society have crucial roles to play in achieving common growth.

“Our Galant workers, let me seize this opportunity to assure you that H.E. John Dramani Mahama is indeed here to restore hope and confidence in the economy for secured jobs and better working conditions. Our Economic Policy document known by many as the 2024 Manifesto, ‘Resetting Ghana,’ clearly outlines transformative measures aimed at restoring dignity to the Ghanaian worker”.

He continued, “We are committed to Implementing a Living Wage Policy, expanding social protection schemes to reach the informal sector workers, strengthening institutions like the National Labour Commission to resolve disputes more swiftly and fairly, deepening tripartite engagement and promoting workplace inclusivity, ensuring that women, youth and marginalised groups are not left behind”.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress and Organised labour are advocating for their inclusion in Regional Security Council (RESEC) meetings.
Richard Hanson, the Acting Regional Secretary of TUC, Ghana, for the Western and Western North regions, made the call at the May Day celebration.
“As the majority of Ghana’s working population falls under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), we believe our inclusion in the Regional Security Council (RESEC) would promote peace in the workplace.

“This would enable us to discuss labour issues at the REGSEC level, allowing security agencies to be aware and address them before escalation.

“Although the law doesn’t mandate TUC representation on RESEC, we urge the minister to exercise discretion and include TUC in the RESEC team.”
The May Day celebration, themed “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders,” also honoured deserving workers from various institutions.

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