On Monday, 15th July, 2024, Organized Labour and other unions are likely to go on strike over sale or SSNIt hotels. If they do go on this strike on Monday, a lot of services will be affected. We will take a look at some of the services or institutions that will be affected.
On Friday, July 12, 2024, Organised Labour Unions in Ghana announced that its members would suspend their services starting Monday, July 15, 2024 and go on strike. This decision is a protest against the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) plan to sell 60% of its shares in four hotels. Many labour unions have supported this announcement and instructed their members to stay home starting Monday.
Organised Labour includes several major unions in Ghana, such as:
- Trades Union Congress (TUC)
- Ghana Federation of Labour (CFL)
- Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)
- National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT)
- Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT)
- Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG)
- Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG)
- Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA)
- Ghana Medical Association (GMA)
- Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana (TUAAG)
- Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU)
The strike will impact many sectors across Ghana’s economy. The public and private workforce involved in this strike will cause a significant disruption in various services.
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Education
Schools and universities might close, which will affect teaching and administrative services. This means that students might miss classes and exams, and school staff will not be available for administrative work.
Healthcare
Hospitals and clinics might see a reduction or complete halt in services. This includes outpatient and emergency care, as both the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) have declared their participation in the strike.
Public Services
Government offices and local government services will be disrupted, impacting administrative functions and public service delivery. Institutions like Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) will be affected, leading to delays in public services.
Judiciary
Court operations could be delayed, which will affect legal proceedings and administrative tasks within the judiciary.
Transportation
Public transportation services, including those provided by unionized taxi drivers, will be disrupted, causing difficulties for people who rely on these services for their daily commute.
Meanwhile, SSNIT has decided to terminate the sale process of its shares in the four hotels. In a statement dated July 12, 2024, SSNIT announced that it has stopped the process of selling 60% of its stake in the hotels to a private investor. The statement, signed by the Board Chair of SSNIT, Maciam Elizabeth Chene, assured pensioners, contributors, and the public that SSNIT is committed to managing its affairs prudently to ensure the sustainability of the pension scheme.
This decision follows public resistance against the sale and a decision by Rock City Hotels, owned by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, to withdraw its bid. Rock City Hotels announced on Friday that it decided to withdraw from the acquisition due to the negative public commentary surrounding the deal.
This entire situation has highlighted the concerns and power of labour unions in Ghana, showing how they can significantly impact national decisions and policies. The protest and subsequent termination of the sale process demonstrate the influence that organized labour can have in shaping economic and social policies in the country.