Government Intensifies Effort To Avert Tomorrow's Nationwide Workers Demonstration

Member Labour Unions across the country are gearing up for tomorrow's nationwide demonstration against the high cost of living. Seen as the largest anti government demonstration in recent times, thousands of workers are expected to take part. However, there is a last minute effort by government to avert the event. Currently government through the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, is locked up in a crunch meeting with the leadership of labour unions, notably the TUC, GNAT, GMA, GPRTU, GAWU, ICU and UNICOF. Previously, such meetings have all ended up in a deadlock with labour insisting on the demonstration. The Unions have also declined to hold the demonstration on regional basis at different dates as police say they will not be able to provide adequate security for such a nationwide event. It is however not clear, if the police will seek an injunction on the demonstration. We are making efforts to get the police, organised labour and government on the latest on this issue. Ghana Medical Association says doctors will not be attending to OPD cases tomorrow as they join the rest of workers to demonstrate against the high cost of living in the country. According to the Deputy General Secretary of the Association, Dr. Justice Yankson, doctors will however attend to in patients and emergency cases. Justifying their decision, Dr. Yankson said it is in the interest of patients for doctors to join the demonstration to protest against the collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme and other issues affecting good health service delivery. The Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, has also confirmed its participation in tomorrow's workers nationwide demonstration. PRO for the Association, Peter Korda told Radio Ghana that, no teacher is expected to be in the classroom tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Christian Council of Ghana has expressed worry over the current turbulence on the labour front. The Council is disturbed that strikes and demonstrations have become the main tool for registering displeasure at government actions and inactions. Reacting to tomorrow's planned nationwide demonstration by workers, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong said labour must, as a matter of urgency sit down with government to resolve their differences to avert the action. According to him, if the demonstration comes on it will have security and economic implications for the nation. Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong also called on government to be more proactive and trustworthy. According to him, the current development is a demonstration of lack of confidence and trust in the system.