Following a massive turnout in Tamale during the organized labour’s nationwide demonstration, the Northern Regional chapter of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has served notice of another protest in two weeks.
The Regional Chairman, Yakubu Abdul Majeed exclusively told Citi News the increase in utility bills coupled with the upward adjustment of petroleum product prices inflicted untold hardships on the ICU members.
He thus admonished President John Dramani Mahama to address the concerns of organized labour captured on a petition presented to government.
Yakubu Abdul Majeed said the intended ICU demonstration is non-negotiable for which reason government should reverse the “killer taxes” particularly the levy on energy.
He commended the ICU members in the region for their massive participation in the Tamale demonstration and declared, “Aluta continua.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of frustrated Ghanaian workers and the jobless youth actively combed some selected streets in the Tamale Metropolis and finally converged at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council where a Deputy Regional Minister, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini received the petition.
They held placards some of which read, “Mahama must go,”Reduce the tax burden,” “Workers arise for your rights,”Mahama is this the better Ghana, ” “PURC can you purse yourself.”
Alhaji A. B. A Fuseini assured the demonstrators that their petition will be forwarded to President Mahama.
He commended leadership of organized labour for their peaceful conduct and called for deeper dialogue.
Some schools were temporarily shut down because the teaching staff abandoned their post and participated in the demonstration.
The Tamale High Court premises was closed to lawyers and litigants because the Judicial Staff Association Ghana ordered its members to join the demonstration.
Some political parties supporters took advantage of the demonstration and lambasted government and described President John Dramani as being “Insensitive.”
The regional police command deployed enough personnel to ensure law and order throughout the 3 hours protest.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana