President Akufo-Addo (R), interacting with Alex Nyarko Opoku. Pix by Gifty Lawson
President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured Organised Labour that the government will not jeopardise their future.
For him, the surplus of GH¢230 million recorded by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) serves as an assurance to Organised Labour that the government will not do anything to jeopardise their future.
He has, therefore, promised his government’s commitment to pension coverage and sustain the pension regime in addition to enhancing the adequacy of pension pay-outs, and nothing would be taken to destroy it.
This was when he addressed the 12th quadrennial conference of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) currently underway at Gomoa Fetteh in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region yesterday.
The conference, which would see to the election of new executives to run the union over the next four years, was on the theme, “75 years of building stronger unions in a challenging world of work”.
President Akufo-Addo said there was the need for all stakeholders to be measured when it comes to making decisions and pronouncements that could affect the long-term interests of pensioners.
Over the past seven years, he said his government had consistently engaged in dialogue with trade unions to resolve industrial disputes amicably, and this had fostered a stable industrial environment necessary for the implementation of government policies and programmes, which in turn had attracted investment while boosting economic growth.
“The preference for social dialogue over strike actions was commendable, as it promotes peace, social cohesion and mutual respect and trust,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, urged the unions to take advantage of the existing positive relationship and form stronger partnership that would enable them to exercise their powers for the benefit of all.
“Despite the challenges facing our nation, it is natural for trade unions to advocate for better conditions of service for their members. As a government, we ask only for moderation, taking into account global events and their impact on our local economies,” he said.
Apart from that, he said the unions must play a proactive role in shaping the future of work, adding that “The rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy represents both opportunities and challenges.”
On his part, outgoing Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah, expressed appreciation to members of the union for their support over the last eight years.
He commended the government for the leadership showed during the difficult times in the country, and expressed the hope that a lot more would be done to steer the economy out of challenging times.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent