Daniel Owusu-Koranteng
The leadership and members of the Maritime and Dock Workers’ Union (MDU) have commended President Akufo-Addo for granting them the opportunity to discuss issues related to the concession agreement on Terminal 3 of Meridian Ports Services (MPS) at the Tema Port.
A letter signed by the General Secretary of the union Daniel Owusu-Koranteng stated that the “leadership of MDU and the executives of the Local Unions of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) wish to express our gratitude to you for creating a conducive atmosphere for open and frank discussions on the MPS issue. We felt encouraged to express our fears, anxiety, comments and suggestions on the matter.”
“We thank you for giving us hope in your commitment to resolve the problem at its roots. We were satisfied by your assurance that you would work within a tripartite framework on the matter, which in our view, would involve the MDU and the Trades Union Congress (Ghana) in addressing the challenges posed by the MPS Concession agreement for the new container terminal,” the statement added.
They urged the President to urgently take steps to renegotiate the agreement on MPS’ Container Terminal at the Tema Port.
“We state so believing that the renegotiation of the MPS agreement would be in the interest of our country and the protection of jobs for thousands of Ghanaians, whose lives and survival are linked to the blue economy.”
“We further commend you for having the foresight in setting up the Ministerial Committee to review the main concession agreement of 2004 and its Deed of Amendment of 2015. We humbly request you to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee in the interest of our dear nation and maritime employees,” it added.
By Gibril Abdul Razak