The much anticipated nationwide demonstration declared by Organised Labour is underway in various parts of the country.
Citi News’ reporter Fred Djabanor, who is stationed at the converging point at the Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said about 250 people are currently present, chanting and singing ‘’war songs’’.
According to him, some of the demonstrators are holding placards with inscriptions like; “Mahama we are tired,” “Rise up workers of Ghana,” “Don’t sell GNPC,” “Our economy is now on life support…’’
He said the demonstrators will march through some principal streets of Accra and end at the TUC headquarters where their leaders will address them.
“They want to tell the government that they are suffering; they want to put all political colours aside and demonstrate to show their displeasure with current economic situation,’’ reported Fred, after speaking to a few of the demonstrators.
‘’From where I stand, I can see a lot more people massing up at the Obra Spot,’’ Fred added.
He noted that there was a heavy Police presence to ensure peace and order.
Eugenia Tenkorang reported that the main ”trotro” [Bus] terminal at the Kwame Nkrumah Station was slightly empty as some of the commercial vehicle drivers have refused to work.
”A lady I spoke to, told me she has been walking from Laterbiokorshie to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle because she could not catch a bus…,” Eugenia reported.
”We want the government to recognise our plight; the essence of the demonstration is to make the government feel what we feel,” a driver at the Neoplan station in Accra said to Eugenia.
In Ashaiman, Citi News‘ correspondent, Elvis Washington reported that most commercial drivers have refused to work, however, a few can be seen working.
”Trotro vehicles are working but if you go to the main lorry station where vehicles ply Accra and other parts of the country, most vehicles are parked; if you come to the main lorry road in Ashaiman the traffic situation is very normal, as most commercials cars are not working,” he said.
He added that some of the shops are closed, in solidarity with the nationwide demonstration.
”Today we are not working because the way things are going on we don’t like it at all; we are suffering a lot,” a driver [Ibrahim] to Elvis.
Kumasi
Below are some pictures from Kumasi
Find Video below
Tamale
In the Northern Regional capital Tamale, Abdul Karim Naatogmah reported that some members of Organized Labour hit the principal streets of the Tamale Metro area.
They held placards some of which read, ‘’Mr. Sanitary pad President stop the talk, be prudent monetarily and physically, the economy is too hard, the Ghanaian worker is suffering, please reduce prices of petroleum products, Mr. JM save the NHIS from financial stress’’.
Northern Regional Secretary of CLOGSAG, Ali Anafu told Citi News the demonstration was long overdue.
He called for more of such nationwide labour unrest to pressurize government to improve workers conditions of service. Tamale Metro Police Commander, Superintendant Lavoea disclosed that a total number of 80 police personnel were deployed to provide maximum security to the guard the protesters to maintain law and order.
The protesters marched from the Tamale Jubilee Park through the Tamale Central Mosque towards the main Tamale market and finally converged at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council where they presented a petition for onward submission to President John Dramani Mahama.
Takoradi
How Organised Labour demonstrated in Takoradi, Western Regional capital.
Volta Region
This is how workers in the Volta region demonstrated.
The nationwide demonstration has left some workers and travellers stranded at bus stops and terminals as the drivers are not working.
Those who spoke to Citinews said their unions have ordered them to support organized labour’s protest by not working.
There was no traffic in Accra because of the order.
Reporters across the country say the various business district are empty with many shops closed.
By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana