Despite requests to cancel its planned strike, which is scheduled to begin today, Monday, July 15, to protest the sale of a 60% share in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Bryan Acheampong, the Agriculture Minister,’s Rock City Hotel, Organized Labor has remained defiant.
On Monday, July 15, Organised Labour indicated that it was unhappy with the transaction and threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the process was not stopped.
On Friday, July 12, SSNIT canceled the deal due to strong opposition from other labor unions.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Kenneth Koomson, emphasized the contributions made by Ghanaian workers to Ghana’s independence in an interview with Bernard Avle of Citi Breakfast on Citi FM on Monday. He also stated that the strike will not end until the SSNIT board is abolished.
“Ghana’s independence wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of workers and politicians should know that. The unity displayed on July 12 is just the tip of the iceberg, and going forward, Organised Labour is going to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian is well taken care of.
“SSNIT’s function is to ensure social security for the population and so the leadership [of Organised Labour] recognised that the way by which the hotels were being sold was flawed and if you look at the content of the letter, we said we were not going to call off the strike until SSNIT board is dissolved.
Kenneth Koomson further disclosed that an emergency meeting would be held today and an announcement made afterwards.
“We thought that it was important to assemble today to review the letter that has been written by SSNIT and then take a decision and so today will be a day to communicate to the public where we stand today and an announcement will be made afterwards.”
