He described as a misplaced priority depositing the workers Health Fund contributions in the Consolidated Fund.

The TUC Secretary General was addressing organized labour unions in Tamale as part of a nationwide campaign to sustain the NHIS.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ph760GnkOCLY0mNEcExgusQ3El4fFh5L”]According to him, successive governments’ failure to use the Health Fund contributions for its intended purpose has skyrocketed the NHIS debt portfolio.

“When the money is paid to SSNIT, that money goes to the consolidated fund, and we are saying that if that money is for health insurance why should it go to the consolidated fund,” he asked.

“The talk tax we are paying, part of it goes straight to the YEA. It doesn’t go to the consolidated fund. If the money is sitting in the consolidated fund and the military say they that they don’t have money for food and if you are President what will you do?”

Dr. Anthony emphasized that, “These are the reasons our service providers are sometimes not paid for one year. We will demand that once we are contributing to that fund those things should change.”

The TUC Secretary General decried organized labour’s low representation on the National Health Insurance Authority’s Board.

“As I speak to you, we have only one representative on the National Health Insurance Authority Board, that should change. These are the things we are trying to put in place to make sure that the money we contribute to the calabash, that health fund goes to serve the purpose for which it was collected.”

Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah admonished government to pay workers better salaries.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, while presenting the 2018 Budget and Policy statement on Wednesday, indicated that about 100,000 tertiary graduates will be employed under the initiative called the Nation Builders Corps (NBC).

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZDjTuE3xAL9EdLIUEYkf86Dv0V1JWc6R”]The TUC, in a statement signed by its General Secretary , Dr. Yaw Baah, described the move as a “bold initiative” adding that it is “perhaps the most ambitious jobs programme designed to address what has become the most critical economic challenge of the country.”

“Providing jobs for 100,000 graduates in the sectors outlined in the budget will significantly improve public service delivery. It will also signal to young people who have invested so much time and money in their education that education pays. The benefits will far exceed the cost of the programme,” he added.

Transition

Mr. Baah also reminded government to at some point “transit” these graduates into the mainstream labour market after they have “acquired further skills and experience so that others can also benefit from the programme.

This he believes will also strengthen the “domestic private sector to absorb the beneficiaries of the programme”

NBC to support other government targets.

Like the Youth Employment Agency [YEA], which targets non-tertiary graduates, the NBC has a number of subsets which are connected to other major government targets and initiatives.

On the back of the National Sanitation Campaign launch and the anticipated Sanitation Brigade, the Finance Minister noted that, the NBC has made provision for sanitation inspectors under a “Clean Ghana” Programme.

These inspectors will focus on enforcing sanitation laws.

Trained nurses and other healthcare workers will provide healthcare to deprived and rural communities under a “Heal Ghana” module.

The 2018 Budget Statement made known government’s intent to ensure tax compliance, and NBC will be contributing to these aims with its “Revenue Ghana” programme.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Speaking at a meeting with President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House in Accra, Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah said his union is opposed to the sale of the thermal plants.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JVvPTapQcmLyiDR1bYbkzINfbUs3O0ox”]”These strategic assets are so crucial for our industrial development and for the achievement of your vision for Ghana… we do not support the privatization of such important national assets. We believe that the VRA is more capable of managing these plants efficiently and effectively,” Dr. Baah said.

The government advertised the sale of at least a majority stake in specified thermal plants owned by the VRA in August, as part of efforts to restructure the energy sector.

But this has been met with opposition from VRA staff who contend that such a move will not solve problems in the energy sector.

Protect ECG workers

Another point of contention in the energy sector that was touched on, was the process to give the Electricity Company Ghana (ECG) out on concession, as part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Power Compact II programme.

Over 1000 workers of ECG, led by the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU), have sued the government over moves to hand over the operations of the company to a concessionaire without plans of a redundancy package for them.

Dr. Baah appealed to the President to intervene so that no worker of ECG loses his job following the plan to privatize it.

“I urge you, Mr. President, to ensure that the union is properly engaged so that Ghana can benefit fully from the compact. I would like to assure you that we are open to dialogue,” he added.

Dr. Baah stressed that continual engagement between the government and unions was critical to ensuring minimal tensions.

“This year [2017] has been quite peaceful, but it may not be sustainable unless we work together as tripartite partners to keep the peace we have all been enjoying since the beginning of the year,” he stated.

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By: Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The TUC in a statement welcomed the probe, that has been brought on by the trust’s $72 million acquisition of Operational Business Suite (OBS) software in 2012.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LvcWjhOLeEQBtS9Z1mBVxC67Oee64vV2″]The current Board of SSNIT has since engaged the services of an audit firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to audit the transaction.

The TUC said it would “await the outcome of the audit before taking further action,” after its Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday.

It assured workers that it would see to the security of the fund and cautioned the “managers of SSNIT to recognize that the retirement income security of millions of Ghanaian workers is in their hands and that any act that jeopardizes the Pension Scheme will not be tolerated.”

Aside from the audit, about five people are currently being investigated by the EOCO for their involvement in the acquisition of the software.

Concerns with SSNIT’s operations extend to its investment strategies with watchers indicating that almost 50 percent of its investments were reaping negative returns.

Citi News recently confirmed that SSNIT and SIC Life’s shareholding in UMB have been diluted by 50% following what has been described as their lack of understanding of the transaction they entered into with Fortiz in the takeover of the erstwhile troubled Merchant Bank.

Find below the full statement

Press Statement

At its regular Steering Committee meeting held today, 29th August 2017, the TUC deliberated extensively on the numerous scandals at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

We welcome the audit commissioned by the Board of Directors. The TUC will await the outcome of the audit before taking further action.

We expect that the audit is conducted with dispatch and that the outcome would be made public.

The TUC would like to assure the working people of Ghana and the general public that it will work with the other representatives of Labour on the SSNIT Board to secure the Fund.

We urge managers of SSNIT to recognize that the retirement income security of millions of Ghanaian workers is in their hands and that any act that jeopardizes the Pension Scheme will not be tolerated.

Dr. Yaw Baah

Secretary General

For: Trades Union Congress (Ghana)

Accra, 29th August, 2017

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He alleged that the representatives might not have had the interest of workers at heart hence the many infractions that are emerging in relation to the $72 million non-functional digitization project as well as SSNIT’s depreciated shares in the UMB bank.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JQQk1QgWVfMg8ejULK3CYqbRe2Nse8xz”]Mr Awuni had earlier challenged the acquisition of Merchant Bank (now UMB) by Fortiz  in court, but he lost.

In a new twist of events, however, it has emerged that the Trust which hitherto had over 80% shares in UMB, now controls only 4.43% due what appears to be a lack of understanding of the transaction they entered into with Fortiz.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Mr. Awuni who was also the Spokesperson of former President John Kufuor said every advice he gave, as far as the takeover of Merchant bank was concerned, fell on deaf ears.

“I have no desire to paint anybody or an institution bad…why would you think I will go to the court and be jostling around the court everyday…What even pains me is that the workers representatives sitting on the board did not even bother. Nobody even picked up a phone to call and ask what is it that you are looking for? We are on this board and we are your representatives [so] why is it that you haven’t come to speak to us? Tell us what exactly have you found out that we don’t know sitting on this board. Even when I make a phone call to them they don’t pick up. It was deliberate.”

When asked by host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle on whether the board should be held responsible for SSNIT’ss woes , Mr. Awuni said :  “the board of every organization is ultimately responsible for what happens in that organization…if a company is going to exceed its mandate the board takes control.”

Organised Labour representatives on 2009-2013 SSNIT board 

Organised Labour had four slots in the 2009-2013 board of SSNIT chaired by Professor Joshua Alabi.

They included: Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Mr. Abraham Tetteh Dian Okine, Mr. Kwame Amo-Dako and Mr. Robertson Nii Akwei Allotey.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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[contextly_sidebar id=”L1tBrCfMJvI5CoUdX5BMghWl0ErmkqCr”]The Deputy Secretary General of the Congress, Joshua Ansah, charged government to provide needed support and logistics required to make them efficient.

“…Management should not wait for us to even come and ask if we are really the engine of growth as workers. We should be treated fairly.,

Various labour unions have over the years embarked on a series of demonstration to register their displeasure over poor conditions of service,” Mr. Ansah said.

In 2014, eight labour unions served notice they would embark on an indefinite strike to protest government’s failure to pay public service workers their tier two pension funds into a private account.

The unions have also decided to lay down their tools.

The eight unions were made up of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Public and Health Service Workers Union and the Ghana Registered Nurses Association.

The rest were the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association, Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG).

They accused government of unduly delaying the payment of their tier two pension funds being held by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority in the last three years.

In that same year [2014], Organised Labour made similar calls for the payment of their outstanding pension funds.

They threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if government failed to take measures to address their grievances.

“We wish to state that if by July 14, directives have not been issued for the transfer of funds to various public sector schemes, we will advise ourselves,” said Mr Awotwi Nkansah, Deputy Executive Secretary of GNAT in charge of Labour .

Times are tough, we’ve no money – Nana Addo

In the wake of protests and threats of strikes from a number of labour unions a few months ago, President Nana Addo told many agitating worker unions in the country that government is cash-strapped.

“There are some things that should be easy to deal with but will prove difficult for some time to come largely because there is no money. But now arrangements are being put place that will enhance the generation by the state.”

“The economic situation my government and I inherited was not the best; both in terms of the growth of our economy and the balances available in the public treasury. Many of the problems you are putting here are the results of a poor office treasury,” the President explained.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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He however said the national drive in combating the threat ought to be sustained with political actors to provide alternative employment to the vast majority of people whose livelihoods depend on the illegal activities.

Mr. Ankrah was speaking to reporters after the May Day Parade at the Black Star square in Accra, where some 750 mine workers from 43 companies joined the national day celebration.

While praising the actions by stakeholders in fighting the canker, Mr Ankrah said: “I think beyond everything, let’s be careful that we just don’t flush them out and think that is the end of it.”

“It is important that we look for other job options, to what extent can we ensure that well, if where they are mining has a potential for artisanal small scale mining, why won’t they encourage them and give them skills that can let them do something more professionally and do it well.”

“In that case, they can still do their work and not mess up with the water bodies.  I think it is about the extent that environmental issues have become more critical that is why we are all scared, for me lets be careful.”

He added that, it was a good thing that the issue had been given the seriousness it deserved, but President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ought to be bold to sustain and win the fight even if it would cost his political career.

“I expect the President to be very bold and make sure that, look, even if this is going to cost your political career, we will see the President that his name will be in the records of our nation.”

He said the nation as a whole should get involved in the matter to deal with it once and for all.

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Source: GNA

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Elvis Van Lare who bemoaned the recent cases of abuse of workers said workers particularly those in the free zone sector are more vulnerable since most of them are denied the right to form unions.

He insisted the free zone companies were not exempted from the application of the Labour Act thus workers in those sectors must be allowed to form unions to protect and defend their economic and social interests.

He also called on the government to adequately equip the various workers unions to promote the welfare of workers in Ghana.

Elvis Van Lare was speaking in an interview with Citi News at the Volta Regional commemoration of the Workers in Keta.

The 60th annual May Day celebrations set aside to celebrate workers in the country is on the theme “Ghana @60: Mobilizing for Ghana’s future through the creation of decent jobs”.

The TUC Regional secretary also called on the government to provide the necessary resources to the various workers unions in the country to effectively and efficiently protect the interests of their workers.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The management of the company after several calls have refused to reinstate the 32 workers which it said breached its ethical rules.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zbqHoF7nsruaIPyR4tICNM4M9uGPbGx2″]The management of TV3 in February this year announced the dismissal of the staff for engaging in various actions considered a “breach of the ethics and legal requirements.”

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Jimi Matthews, dated February 28, 2017, said the affected staff from various departments, embarked on an industrial action without following due procedure.

Earlier attempts to address the problem and have the sacked staff reinstated have not succeeded as TV3 has hesitated to reemploy them.

But speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of the PSWU, Richard Ampaabeng said the workers were expecting an amicable solution at the Labour Commission.

“There was a discussion between the TUC [Trades Union Congress] and lawyers for TV3 to the effect that there will be amicable talks and see how it will go and report to the labour commission. We met, talked about the issues and the discussion was around TV3 and the fact that the timelines we gave ourselves are running out we are yet to hear anything from them. But Labour Commission has written a letter again that we needed to appear before them on 26^th April, that is next week Wednesday, perhaps at the hearing, TV3 management may come with a position after bouncing the matter before their affiliate body,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“I think that the Police at Nima should have been better briefed knowing that this group was passing through and then we should have taken the appropriate safeguards so that there would have been no opportunity for that to happen,” he said. Confusion broke out between some supporters of both the NDC and during a health walk organized by the NDC last Sunday.

Though the Police are investigating the matter, both parties have blamed each other for a gunshot heard at the place.

Meanwhile addressing the leadership of the Trade Union Congress today [Tuesday] President Mahama said the situation was avoidable. “Only last Sunday we almost had a clash which was unfortunate, if any of those firearms had been fired and somebody had dropped dead it would have been a completely different situation. So we must be preventive in our actions to ensure that these things won’t happen.”

He also assured that such incident will not happen again. “By my nature I’m not a person encourages violence and  I will never encourage violence so if any such thing would happen, it will not be that I provoked it.  We will try to avoid the flashpoint that creates that kind of situation…So we will take a cue from what happened and make sure that it doesn’t’ happen in the future.”

Let’s stand up against NDC’s bullying Flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo who also condemned the altercation  described it as “bullying.”

“We urge all political parties and Ghanaians committed to promoting peace and deepening our democracy to work with us in securing these ends. Ghanaian democrats, no matter their party affiliation, should stand shoulder to shoulder to defend and promote the aims of our democratic Republic that also include standing up against the bully. Let the President and his army of propaganda warriors be assured that they would not succeed in their intimidation and deliberate propaganda mongering against the NPP and I,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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