Wa, Upper West Region – May 1, 2025 – Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, has called upon workers in the region to bolster productivity and embrace the government’s ambitious 24-hour economy policy. Speaking at the 2025 May Day celebration in Wa, he described this initiative as a transformative step toward alleviating Ghana’s unemployment crisis and fostering inclusive economic growth.
In his address to a crowd of enthusiastic workers, Hon. Puozuing applauded the vital role that labor plays in national development. “A dedicated and loyal workforce is the foundation for business success,” he stated, affirming the government’s commitment to collaborating with organized labor to enhance working conditions and economic outcomes in the region.
The Minister expressed gratitude for the early endorsement of the 24-hour economy initiative by labor unions but cautioned that its implementation must be approached responsibly to prevent potential worker exploitation. He emphasized the importance of creating a balanced environment that promotes both economic growth and workers’ rights.
Highlighting the government’s focus on youth empowerment, Hon. Puozuing showcased several initiatives aimed at boosting employment and improving livelihoods in the region. Programs such as the Adwumawura entrepreneurship scheme, various apprenticeship initiatives, and the Feed Ghana initiative were presented as crucial interventions designed to support the youth.
However, the keynote address delivered by Godwin Gariba, Regional Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), shifted the focus to the urgent challenges facing Ghanaian workers. Brother Gariba called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s wage and pension systems, highlighting the stark realities many workers endure.
“Our minimum wage of GH¢19 a day is merely $1.20 for eight hours of work,” Brother Gariba lamented, noting that a significant portion of the workforce earns even less. He criticized the current minimum single under the single-spine salary structure, which stands at GH¢741 or $47 a month, describing it as woefully inadequate and far below the international poverty line.
Gariba further decried the widening income gap between Article 71 officeholders and ordinary public servants, labeling the disparities as unjustifiable. “It is a scandal that some CEOs in the public sector earn rent allowances three times higher than the salaries of the highest-paid single-spine workers,” he asserted.
The TUC Secretary advocated for the introduction of a living wage that accurately reflects the real cost of living, stressing that “workers must live in dignity and security if they are to contribute meaningfully to productivity.” He also raised alarms regarding the broken pension system, revealing that some retirees receive less than GH¢500 per month, while others receive nearly GH¢200,000.
“This is grossly unfair,” Gariba stated, calling for pension reunification and fair contributions from all income-earning workers. He voiced concerns over government delays in pension contributions and the need for stronger regulation of second-tier pension schemes, stressing that “SSNIT funds belong to workers” and demanding reforms including majority worker representation on the SSNIT board.
Gariba condemned recent “improper mass terminations” in the public sector, including layoffs at the Ghana Maritime Authority, and reiterated organized labor’s opposition to the proposed privatization of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning it could jeopardize access and affordability for Ghanaians.
Despite these challenges, Gariba praised the government’s recent decision not to renew the lease of Aboso Goldfields Limited, calling it a “bold step” toward reclaiming Ghana’s mining wealth for its citizens.
In a rallying conclusion, Gariba urged all stakeholders—government, employers, and labor to collaborate in building a Ghana where every worker earns a decent wage, lives a dignified life, and looks to the future with hope.
The May Day celebration, marked by a spirit of unity and determination, served as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices and the need for collaboration in building a stronger, more equitable economy for all Ghanaian.
