Organized labour in Ashanti strategizing on demo against utility price hikes

Labour unions and associations in the Ashanti region have unanimously resolved to heed the call of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to hit the streets in a demonstration against hikes in utility prices.

The organized labour, at an emergency meeting in Kumasi, decided to begin immediate membership mobilization for the planned action.

The meeting had representatives of several labour groups, including the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Polytechnic Administrators, the Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF), Health Services Workers Union and the Local government workers union.

They were collective in affirming the TUC’s stance to embark on the nationwide strike.

Now they have resolved to engage in deeper consultations to rope in all labour groups to join in the one-day regional demonstration prior to the November 18 deadline for the utility prices to be slashed.

“The average Ghanaian looks up to organized labour to delivery them out of this mess and since they look up to us, we’ll not let them down”, stated Baba Alootey, Chairman of the organized labour group in the region.

The Kumasi District Council of Labour had earlier being mobilizing workers in Kumasi to join in a nationwide demonstration before the TUC shelved the initial action.

Council Chairman, Kofi Asare Asianowa, is anticipating high turnout for the demonstration because “this is a national fight”.

Similar sentiment has been expressed by the Ashanti Regional GNAT Secretary Charles Adum-Nti Acheamfour, says members of the Association are feeling the pinch of the utility hikes hence will be pouring on the streets.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh