�Let�s Exercise Political Maturity�

WESTERN REGIONAL Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo has told workers and supporters of political parties to exercise political maturity as a means of deepening the country�s democracy. He pointed out that Ghana is superior to any political party therefore Ghanaians should live and behave like brothers and sisters and not make the upcoming general elections a �do or die� affair. Addressing workers in the region at Tarkwa during the May Day celebration on Tuesday, Mr. Aidoo who spoke on �Election 2012: the role of workers in securing peaceful and fair elections,� remarked that peace and fairness were cardinal to the success of the electoral process. The minister thanked the workers in the region adding �it is your hard working efforts in the mines, cocoa, rubber fields, fishing, farming, transport, telecommunications and other sectors of the economy that have provided the means for the nation�s infrastructural development.� He also commended the leaders of various labour groups and unions for their ability to organize productive ventures, ensuring effective flow of information to and from their members saying they had contributed immensely to the stable labour environment in the region. Ellis Ankomah, Western Regional Secretary of the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) who read a speech read on behalf of Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the TUC called on all stakeholders in the 2012 general elections to exhibit maturity, fairness and transparency. He demanded that the various competing parties and their presidential candidates debate over the main issues and their vision for the country adding �we will not accept the politics of insults, personality attacks and any form of violence.� The labour front made an appeal to President Mills and the ruling government saying unemployment was on the increase and urged them to help solve the problem. �Nearly all new jobs are created in the informal economy where incomes are low and workers have little or no protection from the country�s labour laws,� he noted saying a major solution to the jobs crisis is to give meaning to private sector development. He added that the private sector was overexposed to unfair international competition and that the trade policy must be reviewed and brought in line with employment objectives. Kofi Asamoah concluded by calling on government and employers to support workers in their quest for decent wages and improved working conditions and cautioned employers who violate workers� rights with impunity.